Raptors name Antonio Daniels head coach

[raptors]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Raptors Announce Coaching Changes: Davis Resigns, Antonio Daniels Named Head Coach

TORONTO — March 2, 2024 — The Toronto Raptors organization announced today that the franchise has parted ways with Head Coach Dale Davis, promoting top assistant Antonio Daniels to the top job effective immediately.

Following a four-game losing streak that dropped the team to 24-38, Davis, the head coach of Toronto's 2008 championship team who led the Raptors to seven straight 50-win seasons, announced his decision to step away.

"Dale Davis has been an absolute rock. A cornerstone of our organization. An original Raptors draftee during the SLN dispersal draft. I want to personally thank him for his dedication to this franchise," said Raptors president JWoo. "But all good things come to an end, and we think Antonio is ready for this responsibility. Nobody lives and breathes the Toronto Raptors more than him."

It's been a challenging season in Toronto following the off-season decisions to trade Lou Williams, Kevin Garnett and Devin Harris, three iconic franchise players. The emergence of rookie point guard Ricky Rubio and a breakout season from off-season signing Paul Millsap have laid a fascinating blueprint for the future, but losing sucks.

"Antonio's strategic vision for the roster, and his familiarity with the player development in our organization at all levels, including the 905, give me great confidence that he's the man to lead us into this new era of Raptors basketball," JWoo added. "He's connected with the locker room and he's ready for this opportunity."

"I am impossibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Toronto Raptors," said Daniels. "I'd also like everyone to know that I am working for free, because lord knows they paid me too much money during my playing days. I'm donating my salary to the Boys and Girls Club of greater Ontario moving forward. You're welcome, kids."

Armed with several picks in the upcoming 2012 draft, the Raptors have turned their attention to the offseason, where the team is expecting a major leap from Rubio and hoping to cultivate a roster that can return to the playoffs in short order.

"Toronto will always be home for me," said Dale Davis, speaking with a sense of resignation on his face as he exited a black SUV at YYZ airport. "I believe in the direction JWoo is taking the organization, but I no longer think I am the right coach for this team. I've been waiting to turn the reins over to Antonio for some time, to be honest.

"If we're being real, I think JWoo thinks he speaks Spanish because his name is Antonio. He doesn't. But hey man, good luck getting through to Ricky."

FOR MEDIA INQURIES, CONTACT AUBREY GRAHAM — AUBREY@RAPTORS.COM