Kevin McHale announces additions to coaching staff

Posted: July 15, 2011 -- 3:30pm CDT.

New Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale has announced his new coaching staff. McHale welcomes Kelvin Sampson, J.B. Bickerstaff, Chris Finch, and Brett Gunning as his new assistant coaches.

Sampson will be the lead assistant coach. Sampson joins the Rockets after three seasons as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Bickerstaff joins the Rockets after four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves' organization.

Finch coached the Rockets' National Basketball Development League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the past two seasons. Finch guided the Vipers to the NBDL championship in 2010 and a second place finish in 2011.

Gunning was promoted from his role of Rockets' Director of Player Development (the past three seasons) to join the coaching staff.

"I’m thrilled to have these men on my coaching staff,” said head coach Kevin McHale. "We are fortunate to have a very qualified and well-respected group of coaches on staff who will be committed to winning and helping our players reach their full potential.>

Kelvin Sampson has an established track record as a very successful college and NBA coach and will be a valuable addition to my staff. I have known J.B. Bickerstaff since our days together in Minnesota, and he has developed into one of the league’s best young coaches. I had an opportunity to work with Chris Finch for a few weeks leading up to the draft and I am very impressed with his success in the D-League and internationally. Brett Gunning has been here for the past three seasons in a player development role, but he has a very good feel for our players and the system we plan to implement."

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.