Report: Oregon State Beavers’ star J.B. Bickerstaff hired as the new coach with a huge agreement

J.B. Bickerstaff didn’t have a lengthy jobless spell.

Bickerstaff is anticipated to take over as head coach of the Detroit Pistons, according to a Sunday report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The report states that Bickerstaff and the Pistons have reached an agreement on a five-year contract.

The former standout player for Oregon State Beavers was brought in to take the role of Monty Williams, who was sacked after Detroit finished his first season with a league-worst 14-68, their second straight season with fewer than 20 wins. Williams signed a $78.5 million, six-year contract, but he was fired and is still owed $65 million.

After the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the previous season—their second straight postseason appearance—Beckerstaff, 45, was let go by the franchise. In the opening round, the Cavaliers triumphed against the Orlando Magic, winning the franchise’s first series without LeBron James since 1993.

The Cavaliers dropped five games against the Celtics, who went on to win the league. Due to an ankle injury, Cleveland center Jared Allen missed the whole series, and All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell missed the last two games due to a hamstring issue.

After the Pistons and standout guard Cade Cunningham apparently reached an agreement on a five-year, $226 million maximum rookie deal extension, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Bickerstaff will have the team’s best player on board. Since 2008, when they made their sixth straight appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, the Pistons have not won a postseason game.