SEATTLE, Washington (AFP) — The Seattle SuperSonics said Thursday that P.J. Carlesimo will return next season, squashing speculation about the embattled head coach's future at the National Basketball Association club.
Carlesimo's job security was called into question two weeks ago, when Sonics general manager Sam Presti declined to comment on his situation at a season-ending news conference.
But Presti gave Carlesimo a vote of confidence at a news conference Thursday, claiming that he "absolutely" will return to coach the Sonics next season.
Seattle struggled to a 20-62 record this past season - Carlesimo's first at the helm. It was the Sonics' worst record in their 41-year history.
While the Sonics say they want Carlesimo back, where he will be coaching in 2008-09 is still up in the air.
New Sonics owner Clay Bennett intends to move the franchise to Oklahoma City, but the city of Seattle has sued in an attempt to force the team to honor the final two years of their lease at KeyArena.
Carlesimo was hired by the Sonics on July 5, 2007. It was his first head-coaching job since he was fired by the Golden State Warriors midway through the 1999-2000 season.
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