More than a decade ago, Mike Brown, then head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, observed a young intern named Jordi Fernandez working with his son, Elijah, at a basketball training program in Las Vegas. Impressed by Fernandez’s patience and ability to engage his son while facilitating his learning, Brown hired him as a player development coach in 2009. This pivotal decision set Fernandez on a path that has now led him to his first year as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.
On Sunday, the two faced off for the first time in Sacramento, where Fernandez’s Nets edged out Brown’s Kings 108-103. Fernandez had served as Brown’s associate head coach for the past two seasons, contributing to the Kings’ 94-70 record and their return to the playoffs in 2023 after a 16-year absence.
“He’s a mentor, but he’s more than that. He’s like family to me,” Fernandez said before the game. “I would not be in this position without him. Life is one big circle, right? He’s the one who brought me here, and then years later, we were back together.”
Fernandez credited Brown with teaching him how to treat people and manage the stresses of coaching by prioritizing the team’s best interests. “This is a hard enough business, with the emotional rollercoaster of wins and losses. What I’ve learned most is how he treats people,” Fernandez noted.
Brown expressed confidence in Fernandez’s ability to lead a young, retooling Nets team, which entered the game with a 6-10 record. “If they’re going through a rebuilding process, it can be filled with ups and downs, so you need someone steady who can maintain good relationships and keep spirits high,” Brown said.
Fernandez has a diverse coaching background, having led the G-League’s Canton Charge and spent six seasons as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets before joining the Kings in 2022. Originally from Spain, he also coaches the Canadian men’s national team, which he guided to a bronze medal at the Basketball World Cup last year.
Just over a month into his first season, Fernandez is earning the trust of his players, a crucial factor for a franchise seeking to establish its identity under new leadership. “He has them playing really hard,” Brown remarked. “They’re doing some good things on both sides of the ball. I can only imagine the success he’ll have as they figure out their direction.”
Despite their friendship, both coaches anticipated a competitive spirit once the game began. “I just want to kick his ass and then give him a hug afterwards,” Brown joked. Fernandez responded with a smile, “That’s great. I’ll take the hug. I don’t take the first part. We’ll try to do the same thing for sure.”
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