MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAIN STREET™: NBA Detroit Pistons

Monday, June 15, 2009

Bill Laimbeer quits Shock gig; Rick Mahorn (Hamptonite) named new coach

Head Coach, Rick Mahorn, WNBA Detroit Shock

Former Pistons star Bill Laimbeer resigned as the head coach and general manager of the defending WNBA champion Shock this afternoon, following an immensely successful 6 1/2-year run. Rick Mahorn (Hampton University) was promoted to head coach and Cheryl Reeve was promoted to assistant coach/general manager. It is believed that Laimbeer’s long-term aspiration is to become an NBA head coach. The Shock is 1-2 this season.

“It’s disappointing that Bill has decided to step down as head coach and general manager of the Detroit Shock,” Shock president Tom Wilson said in a released statement. “But at the same time, Bill led the Shock to three WNBA championships and a league-record 27 postseason victories during his seven-year tenure. We thank him for his guidance and dedication to the franchise and our organization.”

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The Rick Mahorn Story...

Derrick (Rick) Allen Mahorn, born 9/21/1958 in Hartford, Connecticut.
Played high school ball at Weaver H.S. in Hartford, CT., but didn't start for the basketball team until his senior year. Received more scholarship offers as a tightend and defensive end playing for the Weaver football team.
Played college basketball at Hampton University as a 6'10 center/power forward.
Rick graduated with a degree in business administration and became the most successful basketball player in the history of Hampton University.
First player from Hampton University ever drafted by the NBA.
Drafted in 2nd round, 35th overall, 1980 Washington Bullets (Washington Wizards).
Pro career --1980–1999; Played for: Washington Bullets (1980–1985); Detroit Pistons (1985–1989); Philadelphia 76ers (1989–1991); Virtus Roma (1991–1992); New Jersey Nets (1992–1996); Detroit Pistons (1996–1998); and Philadelphia 76ers (1999).
In 1981, Mahorn picked up his first NBA nickname playing for the Washington Bullets. Teamed with Jeff Ruland 6'11", 275-pound, they formed an intimidating inside tandem; one that Boston Celtics announcer Johnny Most dubbed "McFilthy" [Ruland] and "McNasty" [Mahorn].
Mahorn won his only NBA championship (1989) with the Pistons and served as one of the team leaders of the Detroit Bad Boys teams of the late 1980s.
Known as the master of intimidation, Mahorn shelled out $11,000 in fines for rough play in 1989 and was the baddest of the Bad Boys in NBA Detroit.
1989-91-- teamed with superstar Charles Barkley to form the top-rebounding duo of "Thump N' Bump."
Served as assistant coach under former teammate Bill Laimbeer with the WNBA's Detroit Shock for five seasons.
Won WNBA titles in 2006 and 2008 as an assistant coach to Bill Laimbeer, with Cheryl Reeve, former George Washington University women assistant coach.
6/15/2009, Mahorn became head coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock with a head coaching resume limited to 22 games in the CBA.