Vinny Del Negro packs up belongings and thanks Clippers again

Vinny Del Negro eased into a chair in what was now his former office as the coach of the Clippers.

Del Negro was preparing to pack up his belongings Wednesday, a day after the Clippers had let him go after three years coaching the team. He also had come to say goodbye to the same front office that no longer wanted him as the coach, to chat with the people who helped make his stay fun and to take his coaching staff to lunch.

He had come to the conclusion that one has to take the “good and the bad” in the coaching profession and that he had just experienced both.

But Del Negro said he had nothing but fond memories from his time with the Clippers.

“It’s definitely disappointing because I’m an all-in person,” Del Negro said. “I give everything in terms of my commitment to the organization. It’s the sweat equity you put into things, the time. It’s the things you go through to develop and grow as a team and organization.

“When you’re not able to see things through the way you want to, that’s disappointing and frustrating. A lot of coaches have gone through it. But I appreciate the opportunity being here with the Clippers.”

The Clippers made franchise history under Del Negro during the 2012-13 season.

The Clippers won their first-ever Pacific Division championship and had a franchise-best 56-26 record.

They had a franchise-best 17-game winning streak and were 16-0 in December.

Over his three years as coach of the Clippers, Del Negro had a 128-102 record.

Del Negro, who also coached the Chicago Bulls from 2008 to ‘10, plans to get back in the profession at some point.

“Yeah, I’m going to coach again,” Del Negro said. “I just want to handle this situation the right way and thank all the people and the fans and the organization and the coaches and obviously the players and everyone that’s worked hard to get this franchise to where it is right now. I’ll take a step back. There are a lot of opportunities out there.”

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