MacKinnon hired to coach NBDL team

HUNTINGTON — Bob MacKinnon, a member of the Marshall University coaching staff from 2003 to 2007, was named as head coach of the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League.

MacKinnon served as the senior assistant on former Marshall head coach Ron Jirsa’s staff. He later worked for the L.A. Lakers as a scout and summer camp director.

“After a national search of almost 40 impressive candidates, Bob MacKinnon’s name and qualifications kept coming to the forefront,” said Colorado owner Tim Wiens in a news release. “I believe Bob is the kind of man and coach that will keep the 14ers in the community and take the team to greater success.”

Colorado is the farm team of the Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets. The 14ers tip off their 50-game season in November.

The 14ers play in Broomfield, Colo., in the Denver metro area. The team nickname, 14ers, is representative of the 14,000-feet mountain peaks in Colorado.

MacKinnon, 47, replaces Joe Wolf, who moved to the NBA as a Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach.

"I am extremely excited to be the next leader of the Colorado 14ers,” MacKinnon said in the release. “It is a fantastic time for both the Developmental League and the 14ers, as the league continues to evolve.”

MacKinnon had previous head coaching experience at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

The Buffalo, N.Y., native also held assistant coach positions at Mercyhurst, George Washington, Niagara, Notre Dame and North Carolina.

“Bob MacKinnon has been a successful coach at every many different levels and I would expect him to be just as successful as the coach of the D-League 14ers,” said L.A. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. “The 14ers are fortunate to have hired a coach with Bob MacKinnon’s experience and pedigree. Nobody will work harder nor put in more hours than Bob MacKinnon. Bob MacKinnon has dedicated his life to the game of basketball and will be a huge asset to the 14ers franchise and the community Broomfield.”

MacKinnon is the son of longtime NBA coach and general manager Bob MacKinnon, Sr.