Doug Christie becomes interim coach of the Kings

Kings assistant Doug Christie is increased to take Mike BrownAccording to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, who reports (via Twitter) that Christie is Sacramento’s new interim head coach, he is on the bench following Brown’s firing.

Christie, a former NBA shooting guard, spent five of his 15 playing seasons in Sacramento. That five-year stretch from 2000 to 2005 was the most successful run of his career, as he started all 355 games he played and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for a Kings team that had at least one win in four consecutive years Won playoff series.

After retiring as a player, Christie spent time as a color commentator for Kings games before being hired by the franchise as an assistant in the 2021 offseason.

Christie was hired under Luke WaltonHe remained in his role as assistant as the club split from Walton and gained promotion Alvin Gentry to replace him in the 2021-22 season, and again when the Kings hired Brown in 2022.

Although Christie has never officially held a head coaching position, he has some experience in the job, having filled in for Gentry in December 2021 when the Kings’ interim head coach was sidelined due to COVID-19. Christie also coached Sacramento’s 2024 Summer League team.

It’s unclear when the Kings plan to begin the search for a permanent head coach and whether Christie will be seriously considered for the full-time position.