Bob MacKinnon Named Head Coach of NBA D-League's Colorado 14ers
August 4, 2008 - NBA G League (G League)
Colorado 14ers News Release
DENVER - The Colorado 14ers basketball club announced the appointment of former Los Angeles Lakers Scout and NCAA coach Bob MacKinnon today as the new Head Coach of the 14ers.
The 14ers, a member of the NBA Development League, is the farm team of the Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets. The 14ers will tip off its 50-game 2008-09 season in November. MacKinnon steps in after the 14ers' first Head Coach Joe Wolf earned an NBA Call Up in April to the Milwaukee Bucks to serve as an assistant coach.
"I am extremely excited to be the next leader of the Colorado 14ers! It is a fantastic time for both the Developmental League and the 14ers, as the league continues to evolve," said MacKinnon. "This is a great opportunity for myself and my family to be with one of the model franchises and to be part of the great community of Broomfield within the Denver/Boulder area. We look forward to putting down roots and having a long, exciting and successful run with the 14ers!"
"After a national search of almost 40 impressive candidates, Bob MacKinnon's name and qualifications kept coming to the forefront. I believe Bob is the kind of man and coach that will keep the 14ers in the community and take the team to greater success," said Tim Wiens, Owner.
A native of Buffalo, NY, and the son of longtime NBA coach and General Manager Bob MacKinnon, Sr., MacKinnon played college basketball at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., before embarking on his coaching career. He earned his Master's Degree in Education from Niagara University in 1997.
MacKinnon's coaching career started at his alma mater as an assistant before moving on to assistant coaching positions at Mercyhurst College, George Washington University and Niagara. He took over as head coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1997 and won a pair of Skyline Conference Championships, posting a 38-16 record in two seasons. He was also named the 1999 Skyline Conference Coach-of-the-Year.
From there he served as an assistant coach with Matt Doherty at Notre Dame for one season before moving to UNC. Their teams at Notre Dame and UNC posted wins over programs such as Ohio State, Connecticut, Kansas, Duke, and Maryland. In their first season at UNC, the Tar Heels had an 18-game winning streak and were ranked number one in the country. He also helped to recruit UNC's recruiting class that was ranked in the top five in the nation in 2002. His efforts in recruiting those classes lead to the Tar Heels winning the 2005 NCAA National Championship.
In 2003, MacKinnon joined the staff of the NCAA Division I Marshall University men's basketball team as the senior assistant for four seasons to Head Coach Ron Jirsa.
From there, he earned a position with the L.A. Lakers as a scout and as the associate director of the 2005-07 Lakers summer camps before coming to Colorado.
NBA G League Stories from August 4, 2008
- Bob MacKinnon Named Head Coach of NBA D-League's Colorado 14ers - Colorado 14ers
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