Mike D'Antoni will be the next coach of the Lakers Mike D'Antoni signed a four-year deal to be the next Los Angeles Lakers coach. Justin Lane / EPA / November 12, 2012 By Los Angeles Times November 12, 2012, 12:18 a.m. The Lakers have picked Mike D'Antoni to be their new coach, replacing Mike Brown, who was fired last week. Phil Jackson was the preferred choice of Lakers management, but Jackson wanted more than the Lakers were willing to give in order to return for a third term as head coach. D'Antoni coached for one season with the Denver Nuggets, five with the Phoenix Suns and three-plus, through last season, with the New York Knicks.