Vipers to introduce Moser as next head coach

McALLEN - The wait for the next Rio Grande Valley Vipers head coach is over.

A high-ranking team official confirmed Saturday the NBA Development League organization received approval from the league's front office to name Clay Moser as its new coach. He will receive a three-year contract, terms undisclosed.

A news conference is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at a site to be determined to introduce Moser as the replacement for acting head coach Brian Walsh, who resigned last month.

Moser was a part-time advance scout for the NBA's Orlando Magic last year after spending the previous season as a full-time advance scout for the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

During the 2005-06 season Moser was the vice president of business development for the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. He has previous head coaching experience in China and the Continental Basketball Association. Moser was also an assistant coach at North Carolina State University from 1987-89. Moser was not immediately available for comment.

The Vipers have been searching for a permanent head coach since Bob Hoffman walked out on the team in March to take the head men's basketball coaching position at Mercer University. Hoffman's assistant, Walsh, took the reins for the season's final four games (during which the team went 4-0) and through the beginning of the offseason.

While the Vipers now have a head coach in place, the organization still is searching to fill its vacant president/general manager position. Former NBA player Otis Birdsong was believed to be in line for the post before negotiations broke down.

The Vipers were 21-29 in their inaugural 2007-08 D-League campaign.

Todd Mavreles covers the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4451. For this and more local stories, visit www.themonitor.com.