The New Orleans Hornets announced they have promoted Rob Werdann to the position of assistant coach. Werdann has spent the last five seasons as an advance scout for the Hornets.

“We’re excited to add Rob to our staff,” said Head Coach Byron Scott.  “He has experience as a player in the NBA and has been with this organization for many years. He is an excellent worker with our big guys and I think it is a perfect fit.” 

Werdann and his wife Suzanne reside in Mandeville with Jack, their five year-old son. Werdann is currently coaching the Hornets summer league team out in Las Vegas at the NBA Summer League. Werdann has coached in the NBA D-League, spending three seasons as an assistant coach for the Columbus Riverdragons. He began his coaching career as an assistant for the Yakima Sun Kings of the CBA, spending the 2000-01 in Yakima.

“I am thrilled for this opportunity,” Werdann said. “I have had the fortune to work for the Hornets as a scout for the past few years and can not wait to join Coach Scott and the staff.”

Werdann was the 46th overall choice of the Denver Nuggets in the 1992 NBA Draft out of St. John’s University. The 6’11” center played in three NBA seasons with the Nuggets and New Jersey Nets.

In college, Werdann played four seasons (1988-92) at St. John’s University under legendary coach Lou Carnesecca.

The Sunnyside, Queens native ranks as the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 181, despite playing just 12 games his senior season due to a severe calf injury.

While at St. John’s, Werdann made three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, helping the school to a Big East Championship and the NCAA Regional Finals his junior year (1990-91).

As a freshman, Werdann played a pivotal role in St. John’s capturing the 1989 NIT Championship.

A well-recruited big man in high school, Werdann earned McDonald’s High School All-American honors his senior season (1988) and was a teammate of former NBA guard Kenny Anderson at Archbishop Molloy High School in New York City.