RGV Vipers hire Iowa Energy's Nurse to become fourth head coach

McALLEN – Nick Nurse saw first hand how the Rio Grande Valley Vipers are committed to developing coaching talent as well as player talent when his good friend and close associate got a job with the Houston Rockets.

That prospect was the biggest factor why Nurse, an Iowa native fresh off a season in which he led the Iowa Energy to the NBA Development League championship, decided the Vipers were the right fit for him. On Monday afternoon, Nurse was named the fourth head coach in Vipers history.

"I don’t see it as a lateral move," said Nurse, who coached the Energy for four seasons before accepting the Vipers job. "The thing that impressed me with the Rockets approach is they have a record of fast-tracking a coach to an NBA bench. I see this as a chance for me to grow as a coach."

Nurse succeeds Chris Finch, who coached the Vipers for two seasons before the Rockets hired him to serve as an assistant to first-year head coach Kevin McHale. Finch led the Vipers to the D-League championship his first season in 2009-10. Last year, Finch lost to Nurse’s Energy team in the D-League Finals.

The Vipers landed a coach who has a proven track record in the D-League. Nurse coached the Energy in each season of its existence. In addition to last year’s league championship, he guided Iowa to division titles the last three seasons. Nurse compiled a 124-76 regular-season mark during his tenure at Iowa.

Vipers general manager Gersson Rosas said those credentials made Nurse their No. 1 choice to replace Finch.

"It’s not everyday you get the top guy on your list, but we got the top guy on our list," said Rosas, who also serves at the Rockets vice president for player personnel. "His record speaks for itself. He’s won at many, high level. We’ve gone up against Nick’s teams in the past and it’s been impressive to see him coach."

Nurse has been a close associate to Finch for the last several years. Nurse serves as Finch’s assistant for the Great Britain’s national team, which will compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Nurse was named the D-League’s coach of the year last season. Prior to coming to Iowa, Nurse coached in Europe for 11 seasons and had stops in Belgium, Italy and Great Britain. He became acquainted with Finch when the both coached in the British Basketball League. They were former rivals and became close friends after Finch asked him to be his assistant with the British national team.

Nurse said he consulted Finch about the Vipers and Rockets organizations, and nothing Finch told him deterred him from seeking out the position in the Valley.

"Everything he said about the Rockets and Vipers has been 120 percent positive," Nurse said.

Nurse said he’s looking forward to coaching in the Valley. At a news conference that introduced him as the team’s new coach, he made a joke about the Vipers’ fans.

"I know you have some passionate fans here," Nurse said. "I know, because I’ve heard from a lot of them before."

Rosas is happy to be on the same side as Nurse.

"There was a little sour taste in our mouths this past year because he kept us from winning the title," Rosas said. "He’s going to be a great representative for the Vipers."