"Having had some of his best coaching success with the Hornets in Charlotte during his tenure there from 1999 until the team left for New Orleans in 2002, and having settled in the Charlotte area after he was fired by the Cavaliers in '05, it's little wonder Paul Silas calls coaching the Bobcats his, "dream job." He was installed as an interim coach on December 22, after the messy departure of Larry Brown, but Silas told Sporting News that he really wanted to chance to take over in Charlotte on a more permanent basis.

Today, his wish comes true. The Bobcats announced that Silas has had the interim tag removed from his title, and he will be back as coach next year. Silas signed a one-year deal.

"This team has made great strides in the eight weeks since Paul has taken over," Bobcats GM Rod Higgins said in a news release. "Under his leadership we have seen our team play with confidence, enthusiasm and pride. He and his staff have helped make our young players better and have gotten positive contributions out of every player on our roster.

"Just as we were confident eight weeks ago that he was the right choice to lead this team for the remainder of this season, we are confident that he is the right choice to lead this club into the future."

Since putting Silas in charge, the Bobcats have turned their season around. The team has gone to a more uptempo style, and players have appreciated the increased freedom Silas has given them, which was lacking under Brown. Charlotte is 15-13 with Silas at the helm (they were 9-19 with Brown), and in the span of a week came up with their two most impressive wins of the season, beating the Celtics last Monday and the Lakers this Monday."