Nets hire Jason Kidd as coach

The Brooklyn Nets hired Jason Kidd as their coach on Wednesday, bringing the former star back to the franchise he led to its greatest NBA success.

The Inquirer was the first to report the hiring Wednesday morning, citing a source with knowledge of the situation.

The 40-year-old Kidd retired earlier this month after one season with the New York Knicks, his 19th in the NBA. The Nets decided to hire him to replace P.J. Carlesimo despite his absence of coaching experience.

"This is a tremendous opportunity . . . and it's a role I have been studying for over the course of my playing days," Kidd said.

"Jason Kidd has a long and legendary history with the Nets and with the city of New York," Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said in a statement. "He has the fire in the belly we need."

The move reunites Kidd with the franchise he led to consecutive NBA Finals in 2002-03, when they played in New Jersey. He spent 61/2 seasons with the Nets and is their career leader in numerous statistical categories.

"Jason is a proven winner and leader with an incredible wealth of basketball knowledge and experience," Nets general manager Billy King said. "This will be a natural transition for him to move into the role of head coach."

Terms of the deal that made Kidd the 18th coach in franchise history were not disclosed. The Nets will introduce Kidd on Thursday during a press conference at Barclays Center.