National Basketball Association

Nets add Mitchell, Krystkowiak to staff

Published Jul. 19, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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Former NBA coaches Sam Mitchell and Larry Krystkowiak joined the New Jersey Nets' coaching staff Monday.

New coach Avery Johnson also hired Popeye Jones and retained John Loyer and Tom Barrise.

''Avery has assembled a staff that brings a wealth of NBA experience to the sidelines,'' general manager Billy King said. ''Their collective knowledge of the game, gained from both playing and coaching in the league, will be an invaluable asset to the head coach as well as our players.''

Mitchell, the 2006-07 NBA coach of the year, was the Toronto Raptors coach for four-plus seasons, leading them to two playoff appearances. He also served as an assistant in Milwaukee for two seasons after finishing a 13-year playing career.

Krystkowiak served as the Milwaukee Bucks coach for the final 18 games of 2006-07 and the following season, posting a 31-69 record. He also coached two seasons at the University of Montana and in the CBA.

Jones spent four seasons as a member of the player development staff in Dallas, where he worked with Johnson. He played 11 seasons in the NBA.

Loyer returns for his second season as a Nets' assistant after four seasons in the same position for the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent the previous five seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Barrise will be returning for a 15th season with the Nets, his seventh season as an assistant coach. He served as the Nets' interim coach for two games last season after Lawrence Frank was fired 16 games into the season. During his brief tenure the Nets set the NBA record for consecutive losses (18) to start a season.