LOS ANGELES (AP) – Mike Dunleavy returned to the NBA after a two-year absence Friday as the new coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

“I like a challenge. Usually it’s really worked out well for me,” he said after being introduced at Staples Center.

Dunleavy agreed to a four-year contract to return to Los Angeles, where he coached the Lakers to the 1991 NBA Finals. Terms were not disclosed.

“I’ve had one other stint in LA and it turned out very well for me,” he said. “I figure two times will be the charm.”

He takes over a team with a 27-55 record last season that was the worst in the Pacific Division and 13th among 14 Western Conference teams. Injuries played a part, with 289 games missed because of illness or injury.

The Clippers pursued Dunleavy because he has previous playoff success, is well-prepared and can teach the team’s younger players, according to Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations.

“He’s going to do a terrific job for us,” Baylor said. “He really understands the game. He’s a basketball junkie.”

Dunleavy has already requested videotape of the Clippers’ first few summer league games.

He replaces Alvin Gentry, who was fired March 3 and succeeded by assistant Dennis Johnson, who guided the Clippers to eight wins in their final 24 games.

Johnson wanted to stay on as coach and several players supported him. His contract expired June 30.

“D.J. will tell you I was totally open and honest with him. He knew who I was talking to,” Baylor said. “From the very beginning, I told D.J. he could talk to other clubs even before his contract ended.”

Dunleavy met with Clippers owner Donald Sterling in Los Angeles.

“I feel confident that he’s committed to winning,” Dunleavy said.

The Clippers’ talent was never in question last season, and expectations were high that they would make the playoffs for the first time since 1997.

“You got an organization with a great nucleus of talent that has a chance to grow,” Dunleavy said. “We’re going to try to create that mindset of winning.”

But Dunleavy faces the possible loss of key players.

Eric Piatkowski, Sean Rooks and Michael Olowokandi are unrestricted free agents.

“I’m very, very interested in talking to Michael to see where he’s at,” Dunleavy said, adding that the 7-foot Olowokandi “absolutely” fits into his plans for the team.

Elton Brand, Andre Miller, Corey Maggette and Lamar Odom are restricted free agents, with the Clippers holding the right to match any offer.

Dunleavy said he’s been assured by the Clippers that they’ll do everything they can to re-sign those players, which they can do starting Wednesday. “I’m going to have an input into signing players,” he said.

“That’s all going to answer itself pretty quickly,” said Clippers executive vice president Andy Roesner, adding that the team is prepared to make “a pretty generous offer” to Brand.

Dunleavy is 398-390 in 10 seasons with the Lakers, Milwaukee and Portland.

With the Clippers he will be coaching in the same division as his son, Mike Jr., who plays for the Golden State Warriors. He’ll also face a Lakers team that will add free agents Karl Malone and Gary Payton to a lineup dominated by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.

“I know it’s going to be a tough task here in the West,” he said.

Dunleavy was fired by Portland after the 2000-01 season. He was 190-106 in four seasons with the Trail Blazers, but only 18-18 in the playoffs, with trips to the Western Conference finals in 1999 and 2000.

Dunleavy, the NBA coach of the year in the lockout-shortened 1999 season, played nine seasons in the NBA with Philadelphia, Houston, San Antonio and Milwaukee.

“I can tell them how to get there,” he said.

AP-ES-07-11-03 1825EDT