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Clippers Consider Westhead for Post

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Times Staff Writer

The Clippers have called a press conference for today at the Sports Arena to announce the hiring of Don Chaney as their head coach. Chaney’s top assistant has yet to be selected, but it has been learned that former Laker Coach Paul Westhead is a candidate.

Carl Scheer, the Clippers’ general manager, confirmed Tuesday that Westhead is a candidate, but Scheer declined to comment about Chaney’s appointment or the selection of his top assistant coach. Brad Greenberg is expected to remain as the other assistant.

Clipper President Alan Rothenberg said that Westhead “would probably fit into our plans” when Chaney, Scheer and Rothenberg decide on a top assistant.

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“There isn’t a list of prospective assistant coaches, but I think we’d want a guy with head coaching experience, like Westhead or (Tom) Nissalke,” Rothenberg said. “That’s what Philadelphia did when they originally brought in (Chuck) Daly as Cunningham’s assistant and it worked out well.

“The first assistant coach has got to be Don Chaney’s choice. But at the same time, with the guidelines we’ve set, it has to get Carl’s and my approval. Don (Chaney) knows that he’s only coached 21 games, and he needs an experienced assistant.”

Westhead, now an English teacher at Marymount College in Palos Verdes, where he is starting a basketball program, had no comment.

Chaney, who replaced Jim Lynam on an interim basis March 6, said Monday that he had reached an agreement with the Clippers and would soon sign a contract. He said Tuesday that he had a long list of candidates as his assistant.

“Westhead is about one of 15, but I’m taking the posture that I’m not going to decide until I get my deal together,” Chaney said. “I’d like a person who is an NBA guy, someone I can feel comfortable with.”

As reported in Tuesday’s Times, Chaney has agreed to a three-year contract, only one year of which will be guaranteed, for slightly more than the $75,000 a year that the Clippers originally offered.

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It took six weeks for the Clippers to reach an agreement with Chaney, because Clipper executives said they wanted to interview other candidates. It was reported earlier that owner Donald T. Sterling had expressed interest in hiring Westhead as head coach.

Westhead has the experience the Clippers want. He coached the Lakers to the 1979-80 NBA championship but was fired seven games into the 1981-82 season and replaced by Pat Riley. Westhead then coached the Chicago Bulls in 1982-83 but was fired at the end of that season.

“I think we could do a lot worse (for an assistant) than Westhead,” Rothenberg said.

In addition to Chaney’s signing, the Clippers will announce that Scheer has signed a multi-year contract as general manager. Scheer has been working without a contract since the conclusion of the regular season. After the press conference, Chaney and Scheer will leave for Chicago to attend a camp for NBA draftees.

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