It's official: Mike Brown is the next Los Angeles Lakers coach.

This is a tremendous opportunity for me, said Brown to a media gathering Tuesday. I have great admiration for the success that the Lakers organization and the Buss family have had throughout the years ... my goal is to continue the course, to continue to help build upon the very strong championship foundation that has been laid here already.

Brown, 41, was the head coach of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Cleveland Cavaliers from June 2, 2005 until May 24, 2010.

Brown is widely regarded as a defensive specialist and for turning the Cavaliers into one of the top defensive teams in the NBA, as he guided them into the 2007 NBA Finals.

Mike Brown was also honored as NBA Coach of the Year for leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a team record and league best 66 wins in 2009, and 61 wins, again a league best, in 2010.

Brown was the lead among the short list of candidates for the position, including Brian K. Shaw, Richard Leonard Rick Adelman, Richard Leonard Rick Adelman, and Michael Joseph Dunleavy.

Mike Brown officially becomes the 22nd coach in franchise history.

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