New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams has been fired, the team announced Tuesday. Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the move.
“Making a decision like this is never easy and is never done hastily, especially when you are dealing with a person of Monty Williams’ character. We thanked Monty for the tremendous work and commitment he made to our organization and the development of our young players, specifically Anthony Davis,” Pelicans executive vice president Mickey Loomis said in a statement. “While we continue to work towards improving our roster, we decided that now was the time to make this decision. We wish nothing but the best for Monty in the future.”
Williams, 43, was fired despite coaching the injury-plagued Pelicans to 45 wins and an eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, where they were swept by the Golden State Warriors. Wojnarowski had initially reported after the regular season that Pelicans ownership had given Williams and general manager Dell Demps a preseason mandate to make the playoffs, regardless of injury issues, and since New Orleans got in on the last day of the regular season with a win over the San Antonio Spurs, many assumed their jobs were safe.
Instead, the decision was made to dismiss Williams, who had one year left on his contract. Demps will remain with the team.
Just two weeks ago, New Orleans owner Tom Benson wrote a public letter of congratulations and support for Williams, his coaching staff and the team.
“I am very excited about the future of our Pelicans and you have my word and my resolve to bring everything to bear to win,” Benson wrote.
Williams leaves the Pelicans with an overall record of 173-221. After winning 46 games in his first season with Chris Paul in 2010-11, the Pelicans made improvements of 21, 27, 34 and 45 victories this season. Williams was 2-8 in the postseason.
Under the tutelage of Williams, Anthony Davis, who finished fifth in this season’s MVP voting, developed into one of the NBA’s dominant talents. Williams is also a member of Mike Kryzyzewski’s coaching staff with Team USA, and a member of the NBA’s competition committee. He began his coaching career as an assistant with the Portland Trailblazers in 2005, where he remained until his hiring in New Orleans in 2010. Prior to coaching, Williams enjoyed a nine-year NBA career as a journeyman small forward.
With the dismissal of Williams, New Orleans joins Denver and Orlando as the third franchise with an open head coaching position.
