<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Warriors assistant coach Mario Elie will not be back on the bench for the upcoming season, according to a team source. Elie, when reached by phone Thursday, declined to elaborate on his situation. The team, however, indicated that the coaching staff has not been finalized. Elie has one year remaining on his three-year contract. If he were to get an offer from another team, he would need permission from the Warriors to release him from his contract. If another coaching opportunity does not come along, Elie's role with the team could change until his contract expires. The Warriors announced Thursday they hired another assistant coach. New head coach Don Nelson's second assistant coach hire is Stephen Silas, son of former player and coach Paul Silas. It is not uncommon for new coaches to bring in their own assistant coaches. The Warriors now have five assistants on staff: Elie, Silas, recently hired Larry Riley, Keith Smart and Russell Turner. All five are currently under contract. Since Chris Mullin took over as executive vice president of basketball operations, the Warriors haven't had more than four assistant coaches. The league allows only three on the bench. The rest must sit behind the bench.</div> Source I'm disappointed Elie is out of a job, but I'm sure he'll find a head coaching job soon enough. Stephen Silas, was probably brought in to babysit Baron Davis this season. Paul Silas and B Diddy still have a strong relationship and Silas has a lot of influence over him.
I was a little suprised when I thought they brought in PAUL Silas, but now that I know it is his son, this has no significance to me except that it pisses me off that Ellie is out! I was really hoping he would be groomed like Avery Johnson. Personally, I wanted Ellie to be the HC when we hired Monty. Oh well, now we are really going to be out of the playoff hunt. jk
Definately disappointing to see but thats what usually happens when you hire a new head coach, he brings in his guys and thats the way it should be.
Lets hope Mario Elie doesn't blow up and become really good and make us regret letting him go. Like almost all the Warriors that leave here. *edit Another thing that sucks is that Mario Elie was Monta's mentor. Mario Elie loves the kid and spent a lot of time with him teaching the game and stuff. And had Elie became the coach he would've gave Monta 30 mpg for sure haha.
This is very surprising to me. When Nellie was brought back on, I was thinking that he'd be on board for about 3 years and in the meantime, groom Elie to take over... Very surprising...especially since Elie was coached by Nellie back in the good ole days. I'm hoping these reports are wrong. If anything, I thought Russ Turner would be out. Keith Smart, Mario Elie, Stephen Silas, and Larry Riley, in my mind, is what Nellie would go into the season with.
I wonder how this situation will turn out. There seems to be a chance that Mario Elie could be around this season, but just not one of the coaches that can be on the bench. I remember Clifford Ray was a coach but he wasn't a "bench" coach he was one of the Warriors staff behind the bench. Also Mario Elie was bound to leave sometime sooner or later, after the hiring of Don Nelson for three seasons. I hope the best turns out for Mario Elie and his career aspirations.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lets hope Mario Elie doesn't blow up and become really good and make us regret letting him go. Like almost all the Warriors that leave here.</div> I'm hoping that he becomes a great coach. The guy is a good guy and he deserves it. Nellie is the better fit right now, and cutting Elie loose is good for him IMO. He'll catch on somewhere and get a head coaching job before the all-star break
