Fort Wayne Mad Ants Head Coach Connor Henry has decided to leave the team to take the same position for the LA D-Fenders, the Los Angeles Lakers D-League affiliate. Henry is a Southern California native and began his D-League coaching career as an assistant coach for the D-Fenders.

During Henry’s two-year run with the Mad Ants, he led them to the best record in the league, won the 2014 NBA D-League Championship, and was named the 2014 Coach of the Year. This past season they won the Eastern Conference and returned to the D-League Championship, but lost to the Santa Cruz Warriors.

Fort Wayne Mad Ants president Jeff Potter was not surprised by Henry’s departure. When asked about the situation, he stated that “Connor’s life is in the Los Angeles area, and I knew this would be the one job that he might leave us for. I am so grateful for all that he has done for our franchise, and I wish him every success as he embarks on this next journey.”

The Mad Ants have begun their search for a new head coach and hope to have the position filled by the end of July.

By Joshua Hamer