Report: Kevin McHale agrees to coach Rockets

Mark Berman
KRIV-TV

HOUSTON — NBA legend and former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kevin McHale has agreed to become the head coach of the Houston Rockets, NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports, replacing Rick Adelman, who parted ways with the team last month.

McHale has agreed in principle to a three-year contract, plus an option for a fourth year, League sources told FOX 26.

The deal will not be finalized until McHale and the Rockets complete his staff, which likely will include Chris Finch, head coach of the Rockets' NBA development team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

McHale was chosen over two other finalists, Dallas Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey and Boston Celtics assistant Lawrence Frank.

McHale was the Timberwolves' vice president of basket operations from 1995 until midway through the 2005 season, when he took over as Minnesota's head coach after Flip Saunders was fired.

After going 19-12 the rest of the 2005 season, McHale returned to the Timberwolves front office, only to coach the team again during the 2008-09 season.

His overall record during his two stints with Minnesota is 39-55.

McHale did not return to the Timberwolves organization after the 2008-09 season and is a television analyst with Turner Sports and NBA TV.

As a player he was a seven-time All-Star with the Boston Celtics, where he won three NBA championships

McHale was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.