Rudy Tomjanovich, who guided the Houston Rockets to NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, agreed Friday to coach the Los Angeles Lakers.

"We expect that he'll sign a contract and we'll hold a press conference tomorrow to announce it," team spokesman John Black said.

In a move expected since Monday, Tomjanovich succeeds Phil Jackson, who coached the Lakers to three titles in five years. The team announced June 18, three days after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, that Jackson wouldn't return next season.

The 55-year-old Tomjanovich coached the Rockets for 12 years before stepping down in May 2003 -- two months after being diagnosed with bladder cancer. He negotiated a settlement of the remaining two years and $12 million left on his contract.