In a league where experience often reigns supreme, rookie head coach Jordi Fernandez of the Brooklyn Nets achieved a milestone victory on Sunday night. His team’s impressive 115-102 upset over the powerhouse Milwaukee Bucks marked Fernandez’s first win as an NBA head coach, a moment he called “very special.”
A Journey 15 Years in the Making
For the 41-year-old Fernandez, this achievement was the culmination of a basketball odyssey that began when he left his native Spain at the age of 26. The Badalona-born coach started from the bottom, working his way up through the ranks:
- Head coach of the NBA G League’s Canton Charge
- Assistant coach for playoff teams in Denver and Sacramento
- Named Nets head coach in spring 2024
Reflecting on his journey, Fernandez noted the challenges and triumphs along the way. “It’s very special to come all the way from starting from the bottom in the NBA, and working really hard and move up, and move up, and some good moments, some tough moments, different teams, friends, memories,” he said.
I want to be in this league, I want to be with this club for a long time.
– Jordi Fernandez, Brooklyn Nets Head Coach
A Family Affair
Sunday’s game was particularly meaningful for Fernandez, as his wife, children, parents, friends, and extended family were all in attendance. “It’s really cool now you look and you have to enjoy this moment because there’s only one time that you’re a head coach and win a (first) game,” he reflected.
The rookie coach kept the game ball as a memento, planning to display it in his office as a symbol of how far he’s come and the heights he still hopes to reach. “It represents a moment in my life,” Fernandez explained. “And you look at it and it’s the beginning of something special.”
Players Praise Pioneering Coach
Fernandez’s players were quick to celebrate their coach’s accomplishment, dousing him in a “fun and wet” postgame celebration. German guard Dennis Schroder put the achievement in perspective: “I mean, a guy from Europe, from Spain, being a head coach in the NBA, that’s big time.”
The Spanish trailblazer is no stranger to international coaching, having led Canada to a historic World Cup bronze medal in 2023 and serving as an assistant for Nigeria’s Olympic team. Now, as he guides an NBA franchise in Brooklyn, Fernandez is focused on the future.
What’s the next step? We’ve got to move on to the next thing.
– Jordi Fernandez
The Road Ahead
As the Nets move forward under Fernandez’s leadership, the rookie head coach is determined to build upon this initial success. With a milestone victory under his belt and the support of his players and family, Jordi Fernandez has already made his mark on the NBA. Now, he aims to cement his place among the league’s coaching elite.
For the groundbreaking coach from Badalona, this is just the beginning of what promises to be a fascinating NBA journey. With his first win secured and a new basketball memento to mark the occasion, Jordi Fernandez is ready to lead the Nets into an exciting new era.
