PHILADELPHIA (AP) Lawrence Frank looks more like a fresh-faced college kid than an NBA coach.

``No one wants my autograph. They still think I'm the ballboy,'' Frank said Tuesday night before his NBA head coaching debut for the New Jersey Nets.

Frank led New Jersey against the 76ers a day after he was promoted to replace the fired Byron Scott as coach of the two-time defending Eastern Conference champion Nets.

``This is a new start for us,'' Frank said. ``This is the start of a new season for us and we're looking forward to making daily improvement.''

Frank, only 33 and once the team manager for Bob Knight at Indiana, said one of the first things the Nets need is better bench production. Frank hoped recently added guard Hubert Davis and forward Eddie Griffin can slowly work their way into the lineup.

``It's important that guys stay sharp and know that they can be put in the game at any time,'' he said. ``We need better production from everyone.''

Team president Rod Thorn considered other candidates from inside and outside the organization, but settled on Frank because of his familiarity with the Nets' offense and rapport with the players.

Frank said he didn't expect to change.

``I'm going to be myself,'' he said. ``However I act is however I act. The key is, you have to take the emotion out of the game.''