National Basketball Association

Hornets to formally name Williams coach

Published Jun. 7, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Hornets have scheduled a Tuesday afternoon news conference to formally introduce Monty Williams as their new head coach.

The 38-year-old Williams, who played at Notre Dame and then for several NBA teams spanning nine seasons, has been an assistant to Portland head coach Nate McMillan since 2005.

Portland was a playoff team this past season after winning 50 games.

This will be the first head coaching position for Williams, who was among eight candidates the Hornets interviewed for the job. Another top candidate was Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, has agreed to become the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

The Hornets went 37-45 this past season, missing the playoffs for the first time in three years.