Brett Brown will be back as coach of the 76ers next season, ESPN reported Monday night.
That news puts to rest a New York Times report over the weekend that Brown had "little chance" of keeping his job if the 76ers didn't advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Philadelphia fell to the Raptors Sunday night in Game 7 of their playoff series on a buzzer beater by Kawhi Leonard.
According to ESPN, Brown, 76ers managing partner Josh Harris and GM Elton Brand met Monday to discuss offseason plans.
Brown's return is good news for, among others, 76ers star Joel Embiid, who was furious about the rumors surrounding his coach.
"I heard about all these rumors and stuff and I just thought it was bulls---," Embiid said Monday during exit interviews. "He's done a fantastic job. He's been there through everything and this year I think he grew even more as a coach. He learned, we all learned.
"At the end of the day, it comes down to the players. I don't think he should have anything to worry about," Embiid continued. "He's an amazing coach, a better person, and obviously, I've got a lot of love for him. If there was someone to blame, put it all on me."
Brown assumed the 76ers top post in 2013, and after several lean years with an undermanned squad that gave rise to the phrase, "Trust the process," Brown led the 76ers to 52 wins in 2017-18 and 51 this season.