Jordi Fernández
{{short description|Spanish basketball coach}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{family name hatnote|Fernández|Torres|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Jordi Fernández
| image= 2023-08-09 Deutschland gegen Kanada (Basketball-Länderspiel) by Sandro Halank–161.jpg
| caption = Fernández in 2023
| team = Brooklyn Nets
| position = Head coach
| league = NBA
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|12|27}}
| birth_place = Badalona, Spain
| college = University of Barcelona
Hogeschool van Amsterdam
| coach_start = 2006
| coach_end =
| cyears1 = 2006–2009
| cteam1 = Impact Basketball Academy (players development)
| cyears2 = {{nbay|2009|start}}–{{nbay|2012|end}}
| cteam2 = Cleveland Cavaliers (player development)
| cyears3 = 2013–2014
| cteam3 = Canton Charge (assistant)
| cyears4 = 2014–2016
| cteam4 = Canton Charge
| cyears5 = {{nbay|2016|start}}–{{nbay|2021|end}}
| cteam5 = Denver Nuggets (assistant)
| cyears6 = {{nbay|2022|start}}–{{nbay|2023|end}}
| cteam6 = Sacramento Kings (associate HC)
| cyears7 = {{nbay|2024|start}}–present
| cteam7 = Brooklyn Nets
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's basketball}}
{{MedalSport|Head Coach for {{CAN}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIBA World Cup}}
{{MedalBronze|2023 Philippines–Japan–Indonesia|}}
}}
Jordi Fernández Torres (born December 27, 1982) is a Spanish professional basketball coach who is the head coach for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Coaching career
In his native Spain, Fernández started his coaching career at age 15, working in the youth setup of clubs like CB Sant Josep de Badalona and CB Sant Boi.{{Cite web |date=2016-04-25 |title=Jordi Fernández, paso a paso |url=http://www.apiedecancha.es/entrevista-jordi-fernandez-paso-a-paso/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=A pie de cancha |language=es}} At Club Bàsquet l'Hospitalet he also served as athletic trainer of the LEB Plata side.{{Cite web |last=Morenilla |first=Juan |date=2022-12-15 |title=Jordi Fernández, primer español que ejerce de entrenador principal en un partido de la NBA |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2022-12-15/jordi-fernandez-primer-entrenador-espanol-que-dirige-un-partido-de-la-nba.html |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=El País |language=es}} He spent some time abroad, coaching in Norway and the Netherlands and attended a summer camp at the University of Oklahoma.
In the summer of 2006, Fernández moved to Las Vegas, where he joined the coaching staff of the Impact Basketball Academy.
=Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2013)=
Fernández began his National Basketball Association (NBA) coaching career in 2009 when Mike Brown, then head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, hired Fernández to be a player development coach with the team. There, he tutored Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters, Matthew Dellavedova and other players. Mike Gansey, the Cavaliers assistant general manager, spoke highly of Fernández during his tenure with the Cavaliers: "Whoever walks through that door, [Fernández] can relate to them... he's either watched it, lived it or seen it. That's why he's so valuable." Fernández also worked with LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal during his time with the Cavaliers. He was also on the coaching staff during the Cavaliers' 2016 NBA Championship.
=Canton Charge (2013–2016)=
In 2013, Fernández took an opportunity to join the Canton Charge in the NBA Development League as the top assistant coach. One year later he became the head coach.[http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/20160705/jordi-fernandez-leaves-charge-to-be-denver-nuggets-assistant-coach Jordi Fernandez leaves Charge to be Denver Nuggets assistant coach]
=Denver Nuggets (2016–2022)=
To start the 2016–17 season, the Denver Nuggets added Fernández to their coaching staff as an assistant coach.{{cite web|url=http://www.denverstiffs.com/2016/7/4/12094576/denver-nuggets-add-jordi-fernandez-to-coaching-staff|publisher=denverstiffs.com|title=Denver Nuggets add Jordi Fernandez to coaching staff - Denver Stiffs|date=July 4, 2016 |accessdate=October 31, 2016}}
Fernández was referenced in ESPN's annual report on potential coaching candidates to watch in April 2018.{{cite web |title=NBA coaching candidates: Big names, top prospects and wild cards play |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23244330/nba-coaching-candidates-big-names-top-prospects-wild-cards |website=espn.com |date=April 20, 2018 |access-date=28 July 2021}} Players on the Nuggets’ roster spoke highly of Fernández. Monté Morris said, "He's an all about business guy."
=Sacramento Kings (2022–2024)=
On August 12, 2022, Fernández was hired as the associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings.{{Cite web |title=Kings Announce Coaching Staff for 2022-23 Season |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-announce-coaching-staff-for-2022-23-season |website=NBA.com |date=August 12, 2022}} After being hired as associate head coach, Fernández served as the head coach of the Kings' Summer League team in 2022. He helped the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Keegan Murray, win the 2022 Summer League MVP award.{{Cite web |title=Kings rookie Keegan Murray named MVP of NBA 2K23 Summer League |url=https://www.nba.com/news/kings-rookie-keegan-murray-named-mvp-of-nba-2k23-summer-league |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=NBA.com}} On December 14, 2022, Fernández took over as acting head coach after the Kings' head coach, Mike Brown, was ejected mid-game. He assumed the same role for back-to-back games against the Denver Nuggets on December 27 and 28, with Brown entering health and safety protocols.{{Cite web |title=Coach Brown Enters Health And Safety Protocols |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/coach-brown-enters-health-and-safety-protocols |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.nba.com}} Before the game on December 27, Nuggets' head coach, Michael Malone, whom Fernández worked under in his previous coaching stop, said, "I think one day Jordi will be a head coach in this league. He's been a head coach in the G League. He's got great international experience. This team is on the right path with the right coaches, so I'm really happy for them."{{Cite web |last=Biderman |first=Chris |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Nuggets coach Michael Malone says Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez can be NBA head coach |url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/article270491662.html |website=The Sacramento Bee}}
=Brooklyn Nets (2024–present)=
On April 22, 2024, Fernández was hired as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.{{cite web |title=Brooklyn Nets Name Jordi Fernández Head Coach |url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/brooklyn-nets-name-jordi-fernandez-head-coach |website=NBA.com |access-date=April 22, 2024 |date=April 22, 2024}}
National team career
In 2013, Fernández served as an assistant coach for Spain's U19 men's national team.{{Cite web |title=Jordi Fernández named Senior Men's National Team Head Coach, taking over for Nick Nurse |url=https://www.basketball.ca/news/jordi-fernandez-named-senior-mens-national-team-head-coach-taking-over-for-nick-nurse |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=www.basketball.ca}} From 2017 until 2019, he worked as an assistant coach on the Spanish men's national team.{{Cite web |last=Morenilla |first=Juan |date=2023-06-28 |title=Jordi Fernández, nuevo seleccionador de Canadá |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2023-06-28/jordi-fernandez-nuevo-seleccionador-de-canada.html |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=El País |language=es}}
Fernández was an assistant coach for the Nigeria national team under Mike Brown at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.{{cite web|title=Team Roster Nigeria|url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/BKB/OG2020-_BKB_C33_BKBMTEAM5-------------------------BKBMTEAM5---NGR01.pdf|website=olympics.com|accessdate=24 July 2021|archive-date=July 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725081252/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/BKB/OG2020-_BKB_C33_BKBMTEAM5-------------------------BKBMTEAM5---NGR01.pdf|url-status=dead}} The two had first met when Fernández worked at the Impact Basketball Academy.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-28 |title=Mike Brown and Jordi Fernández: the Olympic duo behind the most talked about team in the NBA |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/mike-brown-jordi-fernandez-olympic-duo-sacramento-kings |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=International Olympic Committee}}
On June 27, 2023, Fernández replaced Nick Nurse as the head coach of Team Canada's men's basketball team.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jason |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Sacramento Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez replaces Nick Nurse as coach of Team Canada |publisher=Sacramento Bee |url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article276816776.html |accessdate=June 28, 2023}} On February 6, 2025, Fernandez left his position as head coach of the senior national team of Canada.{{cite web |title=Jordi Fernandez steps down from the Canadian national team |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fibawc/1781766/jordi-fernandez-resigns-canada-fiba/ |website=Eurohoops |access-date=13 February 2025 |language=en |date=6 February 2025}}
Education
Fernandez's background in academia provides him with a unique perspective on coaching.{{cite web |title=From working out Kyrie Irving to Brazilian excursions with Anderson Varejao: Nuggets assistant Jordi Fernandez reflects on coaching career that began with Cavs |url=https://bsndenver.com/from-working-out-kyrie-irving-to-brazilian-excursions-with-anderson-varejao-nuggets-assistant-jordi-fernandez-reflects-on-coaching-career-that-began-with-cavs/ |website=bsndenver.com |access-date=28 July 2021 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307054013/https://bsndenver.com/from-working-out-kyrie-irving-to-brazilian-excursions-with-anderson-varejao-nuggets-assistant-jordi-fernandez-reflects-on-coaching-career-that-began-with-cavs/ |url-status=dead }} His college degree is in sports sciences, and is one completed academic article away from his PhD in sports psychology. He has extensively studied and researched the observation of human behavior. In 2009, Fernandez co-authored an academic article titled Identifying and analyzing the construction and effectiveness of offensive plays in basketball by using systematic observation.{{cite web |title=Jordi Fernandez combines academic background, worldwide experience as Denver Nuggets assistant |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/07/22/jordi-fernandez-nuggets-assistant/ |website=denverpost.com |date=July 22, 2018 |access-date=28 July 2021}}
Head coaching record
=NBA=
{{NBA coach statistics legend}}
{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|Brooklyn
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2024}}
| 82 || 26 || 56 || {{Winning percentage|26|56}} || style="text-align:center;"|4th in Atlantic || — || — || — || —
| style="text-align:center;"|Missed playoffs
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 82 || 26 || 56 || {{Winning percentage|26|56}} || || — || — || — || — ||
{{s-end}}
=NBA D-League=
{{NBA coach statistics legend}}
{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|Canton
| style="text-align:left;"|2014–15
| 50 || 31 || 19 || {{Winning percentage|31|19}} || style="text-align:center;"|2nd in East || 5 || 2 || 3 || {{Winning percentage|2|3}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Lost in semifinals
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|Canton
| style="text-align:left;"|2015–16
| 50 || 31 || 19 || {{Winning percentage|31|19}} || style="text-align:center;"|2nd in Central || 4 || 2 || 2 || {{Winning percentage|2|2}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Lost in semifinals
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 100 || 62 || 38 || {{Winning percentage|62|38}} || || 9 || 4 || 5 || {{Winning percentage|4|5}} ||
{{s-end}}
=International=
| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="text-align:right;"
|+ {{{caption|National team head coaching record}}} ! Team ! Year ! data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|G|Games}} ! data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|W|Games won}} ! data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|L|Games lost}} ! data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|W–L%|Win–loss perecentage}} ! Tournament ! data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|TG|Tournament games}} ! data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|TW|Tournament games won}} ! data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|TL|Tournament games lost}} ! data-sort-type="number"|{{abbr|PW–L%|Playoff games win–loss percentage}} ! Result | ||||||
| style="background:#cc9966;"
| style="text-align:left;"|Canada | style="text-align:left;"|2023 | 13 | 9 | 4 | {{Winning percentage|9|4}}
| style="text-align:center;"|World Cup | 8 | 6 | 2 | {{Winning percentage|6|2}}
| data-sort-value="1" style="text-align:center;"|Won bronze medal |
| style="text-align:left;"|Canada
| style="text-align:left;"|2024 | 7 | 5 | 2 | {{Winning percentage|5|2}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Olympics | 4 | 3 | 1 | {{Winning percentage|3|1}}
| data-sort-value="1" style="text-align:center;"|5th place |
| class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career | 20 | 14 | 6 | {{Winning percentage|14|6}}
| | 12 | 9 | 3 | {{Winning percentage|9|3}}
| |
Awards and honours
- 2023: Bronze medal winner at the FIBA World Cup (as a head coach of Canada men's national team)
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cci}}
{{Brooklyn Nets current roster}}
{{NBACoach}}
{{Navboxes|list=
{{Brooklyn Nets coach navbox}}
{{Canada Squad 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fernández, Jordi}}
Category:Canton Charge coaches
Category:Catalan basketball coaches
Category:Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coaches
Category:Denver Nuggets assistant coaches
Category:Sportspeople from the Province of Barcelona
Category:Sacramento Kings assistant coaches
Category:Spanish expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Sports coaches from Barcelona