One-Year Contract Signed : Clippers to Stick With Casey

Don Casey, who became the interim head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers Jan. 19, will be the head coach of the NBA team during the 1989-90 season, it was announced today.

Casey, 52, was an assistant coach for the Clippers when he was made interim head coach, replacing the fired Gene Shue. Casey signed a one-year contract plus an option year, the team said.

“It was a unanimous decision,� Clippers General Manager Elgin Baylor said in a team press release. “We believe Don Casey is the best coach for our young team at this time. The players responded very well to him down the stretch last year.�

The Clippers were 11-33 under Casey but won 10 of their last 22 games. Casey was in his fifth season as an assistant with the Clippers when he took over the head coaching responsibilities.

“I’m just thrilled to have this opportunity,� Casey said. “This team is loaded with talent, now we just have to work hard and put it all together.�

The Clippers had the second overall choice in June’s NBA draft and selected Duke forward Danny Ferry. In the second round, they chose forward Jeff Martin of Murray State and guard Jay Edwards of Indiana.

Among their holdovers are forward Danny Manning, the first player taken in last year’s draft; forwards Ken Norman, Charles Smith and Joe Wolf; center Benoit Benjamin, and guards Gary Grant, Reggie Williams and Tom Garrick.