CLEVELAND, June 1 (UPI) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers announced Wednesday they had hired Mike Brown to coach the team.
He takes over for Brendan Malone, who completed the 2004-05 season following the dismissal of Paul Silas on March 21. The Cavaliers, seemingly a sure thing for the playoffs early in the season, wound up at 42-40 and missed out on the chase for the NBA title.
Brown will be a head coach in the NBA for the first time. He was assistant to Indiana's Rick Carlisle the last two seasons.
There have been widespread reports that Brown will soon be working for current Detroit Coach Larry Brown, who is attempting to lead his team to its second straight league title. Because of health considerations, Larry Brown is expected to leave the Pistons and become general manager of the Cavaliers.
