The New Jersey Nets named Pat Sullivan and Bob Thate to their coaching staff today, President and Chief Executive Officer Rod Thorn announced.

Sullivan, a graduate of UNC, will serve as the third bench assistant coach to Nets head coach Lawrence Frank. Thate will specialize in teaching shooting mechanics.

Sullivan, highly regarded among NBA executives as a potential future head coach, was fired by the Detroit Pistons last week when the team purged itself of all former coach Larry Brown's assistants. Sullivan most recently helped Dave Hanners and Phil Ford coach the Pistons' entry in summer league play.