The Golden State Warriors have made a flurry of announcements ahead of Monday’s media day, promoting Nicholas Kerr to assistant coach and unveiling a series of front-office and player development staff changes, even as the team navigates the unresolved Jonathan Kuminga contract situation.
Kerr’s Son Steps Into NBA Coaching Role
Nicholas Kerr, son of head coach Steve Kerr, has been promoted to assistant coach following two seasons as head coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors. Kerr previously served as an assistant coach in Santa Cruz after three years in Golden State’s video and player development department. Before joining the Warriors, he worked for the San Antonio Spurs as a quality assurance assistant.
Kerr compiled a 59-44 record over two seasons in the G League, with consecutive 20-14 regular-season campaigns and playoff appearances. He became the third coach in franchise history to achieve that consistency.
GettySteve Kerr with his son Nick Kerr and his daughter-in-law Kendall Kerr.
Upon his appointment to the Santa Cruz head coaching position, Kerr faced nepotism criticisms, which he candidly addressed in a 2023 interview with the Mercury News.
“I would never have gotten into the NBA without a family connection,” Kerr said. “I don’t blame anyone for saying I have privilege. They’re right. I had not even a crack in the door; I had the door wide open for me.”
Warriors director of player development Seth Cooper defended Kerr, emphasizing his qualifications and familiarity with the organization.
“With the natural progression — time on the Golden State staff in video and player development, then assistant coach, then top assistant in Santa Cruz — it made sense for him to step into the head coach role,” Cooper said.
Bridging the Gap Between Veterans and Young Players
The younger Kerr’s inclusion in the coaching staff could also help bridge the gap between his father and the Warriors’ younger players. Speaking on the Aug. 8 episode of the Glue Guys podcast, Steve Kerr admitted that player development — particularly with young prospects — has never been his strong suit.
“I really lean on my younger coaches,” Kerr said on the podcast. “One of the ways the league is so different now is that we’re a developmental league. We don’t practice anymore, so we have to develop these 19-year-old kids who are coming in without much practice time. Frankly, I’m not great with it. I’m an older coach, a disciple of Phil [Jackson] and Pop [Gregg Popovich]. I lean on my younger staff to install development drills, decision-making stuff — things I never did or knew to teach. The key is to empower the people who can do those things.”
The move comes amid the complicated situation with Kuminga, who was reduced to a situational role last postseason despite finishing strong with 24.3 points per game on 55% shooting over his final four games.
“I’ve been asked to win,” Kerr said in May. “And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say, I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster we have, Steph [Curry], Jimmy [Butler], and Draymond [Green], and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.”
Player Development and Front Office Updates
Alongside Kerr’s promotion, the Warriors made several moves in their player development and basketball operations departments.
- Ben Stelzer was named Head Video Coordinator after two seasons in Santa Cruz.
- David Fatoki was promoted to Vice President, Basketball Development, entering his 10th season with the organization.
- Shannon Stabler becomes Senior Manager, Player Development, and Everett Dayton is promoted to Player Development Coach/Process Analyst.
- Mark Tollefsen joins as Video Coordinator, Player Development, while Joe Chealey, Nikola Milojević, and Christian Terrell also fill Video Coordinator, Player Development roles.
- Analytics, Legal, and Operations Promotions
- Pabail Sidhu has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Basketball Analytics and Innovation, entering his ninth season.
- Marshall Payne joins as Director, Basketball Insights from the Sacramento Kings.
- Jon Phelps was promoted to Vice President, Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel, and Michael Scheinert was named Director, Basketball Strategy after five seasons with the Detroit Pistons.
- In Basketball Operations, Ryan Atkinson is now Senior Director, Basketball Operations.
- Andy Borman joins as a scout.
- John Murray and Yusef Wright were promoted to Director, Team Security, while Bert Ortiz Jr. was elevated to Senior Director, Kitchen Operations. Melissa Beach serves as Director, Team Operations and Family Services.
Nick Kerr’s Rise Through the Ranks
Nick Kerr’s journey to the NBA has been marked by steady progression. After playing his final college season at Cal following three years at San Diego, Kerr spent a season as a graduate assistant before moving into the NBA as a Spurs quality assurance assistant. He joined Golden State as an assistant video coordinator, later becoming co-video coordinator and player development assistant. Kerr’s opportunity as Santa Cruz assistant during the COVID-19 bubble eventually led to his promotion to head coach.
“Ever since I first met him, you can always tell that he really cared about it, worked hard at it and wanted to get better and learn,” Cooper said. “Definitely wasn’t taking any shortcuts to being a coach.”
Kerr’s leadership in Santa Cruz helped several players earn NBA call-ups, including Pat Spencer to Quinten Post, proving his ability to develop talent effectively.
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