Doug Christie's Job As Head Coach Of Kings Safe Despite Record

Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie's job remains secure despite the team's 8-29 record, according to team sources. The first-year head coach is in the first season of a three-year contract with the final season as a team option. General manager Scott Perry has backed Christie firmly through the difficult start to the season.

"He's got an organization that's behind him and believes that he will be there to help push us through and turn the corner," Perry said.

Christie took over in December 2024 after Mike Brown was fired following an 0-5 homestand. The Kings hired Christie in part because he shares Perry's vision for building a physical, fast-paced team centered on competitiveness and toughness.

Christie's alignment with Perry has been evident in his public messaging throughout the season. The support from management has freed Christie to drill his team about effort he frequently deems inadequate. The first-time head coach has been hypercritical of his players several times already this season.

"I wish I could have put on the jersey at 55," Christie said after a November 13 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. "I would have showed you better than that. At least I'm going to use all six fouls. I might can't move, but I'm going to foul the f--- out of somebody."

Christie said knowing he has organizational support allows him to speak freely with his veteran roster. The coach emphasized his direct approach represents the culture Perry wants to establish in Sacramento.

"To know that he has my back allows me to speak freely," Christie said. "Now those aren't things I'm going to do all the time, but what I'm saying is this is who we are and this is what we're about. And we are standing on this and it's not just me saying it. Scott's with me."

Perry and Christie both visited the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in August to study the organization's sustained success. The Kings executives spent three nights at Saint Vincent College with access to coach Mike Tomlin and his staff. Christie attended offensive line, defensive back and quarterback meetings during the visit.

Perry wants Sacramento to emulate Pittsburgh's culture of competitiveness and consistency. Christie expressed immediate alignment with Perry's philosophy after watching his introductory press conference.

"I watched Scott's first press conference," Christie said. "I was like, 'Damn, that sounds like me.' I was vibing with it."

The Kings rank 28th in defensive rating and 29th in offensive rating through 37 games. Sacramento has lost five consecutive games by double digits. Christie serves as the face of Perry's rebuilding plan despite the poor record and challenging roster construction.

Perry emphasized the rebuild will take time but maintained his commitment to Christie leading the franchise through the process. This represents a trial period for Christie as a first-time head coach, but team sources indicated his position remains stable for the foreseeable future.