Report: Nets retain Coach Lawrence Frank

Lawrence Frank will return next season to coach the NBA’s New Jersey Nets, a team executive told the Bergen Record Wednesday.

Frank will be back despite New Jersey’s failure to qualify for the NBA playoffs for the second year in a row.

I just want to be sure in my mind, team president Rod Thorn told the newspaper prior to a news conference to announce Frank will return. Lawrence is a very good coach (and) I think the players understand that he knows what he’s doing and they play hard for him.

Frank, a native of Teaneck, N.J., is owed $4.5 million next season.

He compiled a second straight 34-48 record, good for an 11th place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Thorn made no comment on which players would be back, including high-scoring guard Vince Carter and backcourt mate Devin Harris.