MIAMI -- The Miami Heat hired David Fizdale as an assistant coach Friday, bringing the 34-year-old back to where he began his NBA career.
Fizdale was an assistant in the Heat video room during the 1997-98 season -- starting in almost the same position that new Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra did 13 years ago. He spent the past five seasons as an assistant with Golden State and Atlanta.
"He has proven to be a great teacher and has helped develop a number of young players in his 10 years of coaching on the professional and collegiate level," Spoelstra said. "Additionally, his belief and familiarity with our culture is an added bonus."
Fizdale has also worked as an assistant coach at Fresno State and the University of San Diego, his alma mater.