Sacramento Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie announced today that the team has relieved Reggie Theus of his head coaching duties. Theus will be replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Kenny Natt. In a related move, Chuck Person was also relieved of his duties as an assistant coach.

“I want to thank Reggie for his hard work and efforts during the past year and a half,” said Petrie. “I think that the experiences that he’s had will benefit him when his next opportunity occurs. It just became apparent that we need to try a different voice at this point and we’re going forward with Kenny Natt, who has a lot of experience as an assistant coach with some great teams in the NBA. I look forward to working with him throughout the remainder of the season.”

Natt, who is in his second season as an assistant coach for the Kings, will be an NBA head coach for the first time in his career. He has spent the last 28 years working in all facets of professional basketball as a player, administrator and coach. Natt spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, helping the Cavaliers reach the 2007 NBA Finals. He previously worked nine seasons under Jerry Sloan with the Utah Jazz. While with Utah, the Jazz made two NBA Finals appearances and the playoffs in eight of Natt’s nine seasons there.

Drafted out of Northeast Louisiana University as the 30th selection by the Indiana Pacers in the 1980 NBA Draft, Natt spent three seasons in the NBA playing for Indiana, Utah and Kansas City. He also played for six CBA teams and two World Basketball League Organizations.

Theus was named the 21st head coach in team history on June 19, 2007. He compiled a 44-62 record in his one-plus years at the helm for Sacramento. Currently, the Kings have a record of 6-18. Sacramento finished with a 38-44 record in Theus’ first year last season.

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