Doug Christie's Coaching Future in Sacramento Still Backed by GM Scott Perry - But the Pressure Is Mounting
SACRAMENTO - Ten months into his tenure as general manager of the Sacramento Kings, Scott Perry has been methodically reshaping the organization from top to bottom. From the front office to the roster and beyond, Perry’s fingerprints are all over the Kings’ evolving identity. But one key piece of that puzzle remains under active evaluation: head coach Doug Christie.
Christie, the former Kings standout and longtime assistant, stepped into the head coaching role midseason last year after the dismissal of Mike Brown. He led the team to a 27-24 finish over the final 51 games - a respectable mark that helped earn him the full-time job heading into this season.
But what began as a hopeful new chapter has turned rocky in a hurry. Heading into Friday’s matchup with the Clippers, Sacramento sits at 12-40.
The optimism that followed Christie’s promotion has given way to frustration.
Still, Perry isn’t rushing to judgment.
“I really enjoyed working with him - his energy, his passion - not just for the game, but for getting better as a coach,” Perry said Friday. “He cares deeply about this community. He was a star here, and that connection still matters.”
That connection has been a big part of Christie’s appeal since the day he took the job. He’s been a fan favorite in Sacramento since his playing days, and his presence on the sideline was seen as a natural extension of the Kings’ culture.
But as the losses have piled up, the honeymoon phase has faded. Even so, Perry sees a coach still in the early stages of his development - and not just in terms of Xs and Os.
“There’s a lot of learning that goes into being a first-year head coach,” Perry said. “It’s not just about coaching the game.
It’s managing a staff, working with the front office, navigating all the responsibilities that come with the job. And Doug’s approached that with the right mindset.”
In other words, Perry understands the growing pains. And to be fair, Christie hasn’t exactly had a full deck to work with.
The Kings have been hit hard by injuries all season, with cornerstone players like Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray missing significant time. That’s made it nearly impossible to establish any rhythm or continuity - something Perry was quick to point out.
“It’s not an excuse, but it’s a fact,” he said. “I think we’re the only team in the league this year that hasn’t started our projected starting five even once. That makes it really tough to build chemistry or consistency.”
That context matters. It doesn’t erase the struggles, but it helps explain them. And it’s something Perry will weigh heavily when the offseason arrives and deeper evaluations begin.
For now, though, Christie’s job appears safe.
“I’m just expecting him to be my coach until I tell you anything different,” Perry said. “I’m not even thinking along those lines right now. I want to see us get better each day, and I want to see him continue to grow.”
That’s the key word here: growth. Perry isn’t ignoring the record, but he’s looking at the bigger picture. He wants to see progress - in the team, in the culture, and in Christie himself.
And while the results on the court haven’t been what Sacramento hoped for this season, the door remains open for Christie to prove he’s the right man for the job long-term. The support is there. The belief, at least for now, is intact.
But in a league where patience is often in short supply, the clock is ticking.