Blazers officially hire five-time NBA All-Star Chauncey Billups as their new head coach

After nearly a week of speculation, the Portland Trail Blazers have made it official.

They have announced the hiring of Chauncey Billups as their new head coach, the 15th in franchise history. The deal is reportedly a five-year pact.

The move comes with some controversy – as sexual assault allegations against him dating back to 1997 have since resurfaced. But despite that, the team believes in his ability to push the franchise to make some serious noise in the postseason and even compete for a championship.

“Chauncey is a proven leader with an elite basketball IQ that has won everywhere he has been. He is prepared for the challenge of developing the Championship habits and strategic approach we need to achieve the expectations and goals for our franchise.” said Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.

Billups, 44, was a longtime NBA guard that made five NBA All-Star appearances and won a Finals MVP and NBA Championship during his playing career that spanned 17 seasons from 1997-2014.

Since his retirement, he has been involved in the broadcasting side of the sport on ESPN and most recently an assistant coach under Tyronn Lue’s staff with the Los Angeles Clippers.