John Welch (basketball)
John Welch (born February 17, 1963) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played professionally in New Zealand where in 1988, he earned Most Outstanding Guard and All-Star Five honors playing for Waitemata. Throughout his coaching career, he has worked with or worked under various notable basketball people, including Jerry Tarkanian, Jerry West, Hubie Brown, George Karl and Tim Grgurich. Early life. Born in Portland, Maine, Welch attended Rancho High School in North Las Vegas , Nevada and was an All-State selection. He later played college basketball for Nevada and UNLV before starting a successful coaching career. Coaching career. Fresno State. At Fresno State, Welch worked under head coach Jerry Tarkanian, a 2013 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach inductee. Denver Nuggets. Welch worked under George Karl during his tenure with the Denver Nuggets. Karl expressed his appreciation towards Welch, saying, "he's got great passion ... [and] tries something every day that we can get better at." Brooklyn Nets. Welch began his tenure with the Nets in 2013, the first season Jason Kidd was  head coach. Sacramento Kings. On July 31, 2015, Welch was hired by the Sacramento Kings to be an assistant coach. Los Angeles Clippers. On September 23, 2016, Welch was hired as an assistant coach by the Los Angeles Clippers, and served in the position until November 16, 2020.