The former Boston Celtics stalwart Kevin McHale has confirmed he will become the new coach of the Houston Rockets.
The value of McHale's three-year contract with the Rockets was not disclosed. The pact includes an option for a fourth season, according to the NBA's website.
McHale's most recent NBA job was as the general manger of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
That followed a decorated playing career with the Celtics from 1980-93. He was elected to the basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. McHale's announcement will end his recent stint as a television broadcaster and return him to the sidelines, where he stepped in for the final 63 games of the 2008/09 Timberwolves season. He previously had another stretch as the club's interim coach during the 2004/05 campaign.
"I had really wanted to coach again," McHale told nba.com. "You miss the competition when you're away from it.
"This was a chance. It came up, I talked to them. After spending time with them, I felt this is a good situation to get involved in."
McHale, 53, expects to be introduced by the Rockets at a news conference in Houston tomorrow.
Rick Adelman departed the Rockets days after completing his fourth season at coach.
The Rockets have missed the play-offs for two straight seasons, in part because of the repeated injuries suffered by the former All-Star centre Yao Ming.
