Report: Sonics to hire Carlesimo as coach

SAN ANTONIO, July 3 (UPI) -- The Seattle SuperSonics reportedly hired P.J. Carlesimo Tuesday as their new head coach.

The San Antonio Express-News, citing an NBA source, said the Sonics are expected to announce Carlesimo's hiring Wednesday afternoon.

Carlesimo spent the last five seasons as an assistant under San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich.

Carlesimo made the jump to the NBA after 19 seasons as a head coach on the collegiate level when he was named head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers in 1994. He guided the Trail Blazers to the playoffs for three straight seasons before he was hired by Golden State.

He was fired by the Warriors in late December 1999.

Carlesimo was named coach at New Hampshire College in 1975. He spent six seasons at Wagner College, then coached at Seton Hall from 1982 to 1994.