Los Angeles - The Sacramento Kings got their man, and new head coach Paul Westphal will rely on his success to turn around the fortunes of a club that finished with the worst record in the NBA.

"We are really excited to announce that we have reached an agreement in principle with Paul Westphal to become the Kings head coach," team president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said in a statement late Tuesday night.

"We set some parameters at the start of this coaching search to look for a successful, experienced leader and Paul certainly meets those qualifications.

"He was very impressive during the interview process and in the subsequent conversations we have had since the interview. Paul also was greatly supported over the past few weeks by many of his former players and staff and others around the NBA game."

Westphal and former Washington Wizards coach Eddie Jordan were the leading candidates to take over from caretaker Kenny Natt. However, Jordan bowed out to take the same position at Philadelphia, leaving Westphal to become the Kings' fifth coach since 2006.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity," said the 58-year-old Westphal, who is believed to have agreed to a deal for two guaranteed seasons at 1.5 million dollars per with the third year worth 2 million.

"I have been looking for a good opportunity to get back and do what I like to do, and I think that the Kings present an exciting challenge for me. I really appreciate the confidence the (owners) Maloofs and Geoff Petrie are showing in me. I can't wait to get to work."

Westphal owns a 267-159 coaching record in six-plus seasons with the Phoenix Suns, (1992-96) including a Finals appearance in 1993, and the Seattle SuperSonics (1998
-2001).

A five-time All-Star selection during his 12-year NBA career, Westphal spent last season (2008-09) as the executive vice president of basketball operations for the Dallas Mavericks after serving as one of their assistant coaches the previous year.

Westphal will take over the Kings, who finished in the NBA cellar with a franchise-worst 17-65 record, after replacing fired coach Reggie Theus with interim Kenny Natt last December.(dpa)