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WNBA Minnesota Lynx

Lynx Name Don Zierden Head Coach

December 13, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release


MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Lynx today announced the hiring of Don Zierden as the team's head coach. Zierden, a native of Minneapolis, becomes the fifth head coach in the Lynx history. The sides agreed to a multi-year contract; per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Zierden comes to the Lynx from the Detroit Pistons, where he has served as an assistant coach. The 2006-07 season was Zierden's second as a member of the Detroit Pistons. He joined the organization in the summer of 2005.

"We're thrilled to bring a coach of Don's caliber into our organization," said Lynx Chief Operating Officer Roger Griffith. "Don has had success at every level he's been at and his knowledge, enthusiasm and experience was a perfect fit for our personnel. I'm looking forward to working with him to build the Lynx into a championship contender."

In addition to his recent experience with the Pistons, Zierden also spent several seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He served as the team's video coordinator for the 1999-2000 season and was promoted to assistant coach/director of player development on July 11, 2000. He remained with the Timberwolves through the 2004-05 season and was part of the coaching staff on the 2003-04 squad that reached the Western Conference Finals.

"I'm excited to be returning to Minnesota as head coach of the Lynx," Zierden said. "The Lynx have a great core group of players that I'm looking forward to working with as they continue to develop. Having this opportunity in my hometown is incredible."

Zierden's coaching career began at his alma mater, De La Salle High School, and he guided them to the Class A State Championship in 1985. He is one of two rookie high school coaches in Minnesota history to take their team to a state basketball title. The Minneapolis native also served on the staffs at the University of Tulsa (1986-88), and in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) with the La Crosse Catbirds (1990-94). He won a championship with the Catbirds in 1992.

After serving as an assistant in the CBA for a few seasons, Zierden became the Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Piranhas in 1995, becoming the third rookie coach in CBA history to reach the finals. One year later he returned to La Crosse to lead the newly formed La Crosse Bobcats.

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