WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Former Philadelphia 76ers coach Larry Brown became the team's executive vice president, the NBA franchise said on Saturday.

    Brown, returning just weeks after the Sixers dispatched Allen Iversonto Denver in one of the biggest trades of the 2006-07 season, will assist president Billy King and the basketball operations department, also working on special projects.

    Iverson and Brown clashed on numerous occasions before Brown left the team in May 2003.

    Brown, 66, posted a 255-205 record in his six-year rein over the Sixers and guided them to the playoffs five times, including the 2001 NBA Finals.

    Brown is a well-travelled coach who had a dismal year as head coach of the New York Knicks before being fired in the off-season.

    Philadelphia is coached by Maurice Cheeks, who had a losing record in his first year last season. With the Sixers just 9-24 this season, speculation has already started that Brown may replace him behind the bench at some point.