On May 1, Doug Christie was officially named the head coach of the Sacramento Kings, a position he had served in an interim capacity since December 2024. His appointment follows the firing of former head coach Mike Brown and marks the beginning of a new era for the Kings.
Christie, who had a distinguished career as a player with the Kings and others, shared his gratitude and vision during his first press conference as the team’s head coach. He began by thanking the Kings’ leadership, including General Manager Scott Perry, his family, and the loyal Sacramento fanbase for trusting him with the opportunity.
“I am humbled, honored, and grateful to be sitting beside Scott in this position right now,” Christie said, as he reflected on his transition from player to coach. “I want to thank my family, I want to thank King’s leadership, Scott, our players, and an incredible fan base for trusting me with this beautiful jewel because that’s how I vision it.”
Christie emphasized his mindset going forward: “You’ve heard me say it before, but I have— we have unfinished business, and that’s my mindset going into what we’re approaching right now.” He acknowledged the difficulties of the game, but emphasized that the same challenges that leave a void also provide fulfillment. “This game will leave a hole in your heart. It will. It’s difficult. It’ll take something from you. And the odd thing about that is it’s the only thing that can fill that void.”
One of the key themes Christie discussed was the concept of “unfinished business,” explaining that the team’s goals go beyond just reaching a championship. “Culture is a byproduct of habits,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of discipline and work ethic in shaping the Kings’ identity.
He stressed that the team would be a reflection of the blue-collar, hardworking spirit of Sacramento, noting the community’s loyalty and dedication. “We want players that are going to represent that. When they come through the turnstiles and when they leave, they know they’ve gotten every piece of what they thought—heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears—they get it all.”
In response to questions about his vision for the roster, Christie focused on building the team’s identity and foundation. “This year is really about establishing an identity,” he stated. “What are we going to reflect on this court? We have to start building that.”
Additionally, he discussed his partnership with Perry, acknowledging the importance of open communication. “The fact that [Scott Perry] is willing to sit with me and have those conversations, that’s where I’m going to start at,” Christie said, stressing the value of their collaboration as they shape the future of the franchise.
Christie also mentioned the crucial role of the team’s physical and mental preparation. His approach is rooted in discipline, with a focus on instilling the right habits, particularly when it comes to team-oriented play. “We want to establish a very, very high level of [habits]… it’s about physical manifestation of this community,” he said. “The culture we build will reflect that.”
