Bucks fired their coach Terry Stotts.

Stotts fired as coach of Bucks

March 14, 2007

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Terry Stotts was fired Wednesday as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, who are struggling this season after injuries to key players.

An interim coach was not announced for Thursday night's against San Antonio, general manager Larry Harris said.

"Terry has done the best he could in a difficult situation, especially with all of our injuries," Harris said of his coach for less than two seasons. "I felt it was in the best interest of our organization to make the decision now and move forward, rather than wait until the end of the regular season."

The Bucks have dealt with a spate of injuries, including the loss of Michael Redd for 20 games as the team went 3-17 without him. The team is 23-41, last in the Central Division.

Stotts was hired as the team's ninth coach in history in June 2005 after Harris let Terry Porter go. Stotts was a favorite of owner Herb Kohl. The U.S. senator got to know the 13-year NBA veteran coach while Stotts was an assistant under then-Bucks coach George Karl.

Stotts and Harris made good on their promise to return to the playoffs in 2005-06, but the Bucks stumbled badly down the stretch and finished 40-42 with the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Maybe they'll re-hire Porter? (kidding)

Actually, it'll probably be Brian James or Larry Krystkowiak on an interim basis.

How sudden of a move did it have to be if they don't even have the interim coach to name until before the game tomorrow?

I wonder if there was some kind of big argument/blow up?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Stotts resurface with Denver. He's George Karl's boy.


Terry Stotts Relieved Of Head Coaching Duties

March 14, 2007 - The Milwaukee Bucks today relieved Terry Stotts of his head coaching duties, General Manager Larry Harris announced. An interim head coach for the remainder of the 2006-07 season will be named prior to tomorrow night’s game vs. the San Antonio Spurs.
“Terry has done the best he could in a difficult situation, especially with all of our injuries,” said Harris. “I felt it was in the best interest of our organization to make the decision now and move forward, rather than wait until the end of the regular season. I want to thank Terry for his hard work and dedication to our team, and wish him well.”

In less than two seasons as head coach of the Bucks, Stotts compiled a 63-83 record (.432), including a trip to the 2006 NBA Playoffs. Last season’s team was the first team in NBA history to make the playoffs with four new starters from the previous season, and set an NBA record by winning their first 13 games decided by 6 points or less.

"I want to thank Senator Kohl and Larry Harris for giving me the opportunity to coach in Milwaukee," said Stotts. "I understand this is a part of the business and I wish the Bucks organization well in the future."
A 14-year NBA veteran coach, Stotts spent the 2004-05 season as the lead assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors under Mike Montgomery. Prior to the 2004-05 campaign, Stotts spent two seasons in Atlanta, the last year and one-half as head coach of the Hawks after he replaced Lon Krueger on December 26, 2002.

Before joining the Hawks in August of 2002, Stotts enjoyed a highly successful stint as an assistant coach for nine seasons – five with the Seattle SuperSonics and four with the Bucks. During that stretch, his teams concluded each season with a .500-or-better record and qualified for the playoffs in eight of nine seasons.

In four seasons as lead assistant in Milwaukee, Stotts helped the Bucks amass a 163-133 mark, punctuated by three appearances in the playoffs, a Central Division Championship and a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001. While in Seattle, the Sonics posted a 357-135 record, captured four Pacific Division titles, reached the Western Conference Finals twice and appeared in the 1996 NBA Finals.

Stotts was a second round choice of the Houston Rockets in the 1980 NBA Draft and began his professional playing career in Italy before joining the Montana Golden Nuggets of the CBA. He returned to Europe for several seasons, playing in Spain and France, before returning to the United States to join the coaching staff of the CBA’s Albany Patroons in 1990-91. During his first year on a professional coaching staff, he helped lead the Patroons to an all-time CBA-best 50-6 record. Stotts remained in the CBA for one more season with the Fort Wayne Fury before moving on to the Sonics.

Sweet! I started a thread without actually making it.

Wasn't this only his 2nd season as Bucks coach? If so, this is the 2nd coach they've canned in the last three years. Exhibit a little patience. Geesh.

Who was the first guy fired on that poll thread about coaching hot seats? I think I picked Stotts in that thing.

Bout fucking time by the Bucks. Should have never hired this goob to begin with.

Its about dam time... Stotts is a moron

Wasn't this only his 2nd season as Bucks coach? If so, this is the 2nd coach they've canned in the last three years. Exhibit a little patience. Geesh.
Given the Pistons' recent history here, we have no room to talk.

Though, I agree that hiring Stotts was a dumb decision. He's not head coach material yet.

Its not that we weren't patient. We fired Carlisle for an obvious improvement to LB, then LB went LB on us and we had to move on.

Bucks beat the Spurs, snapping their long winning streak.

There's a new "Coach K" in town, Krystkowiak for COY.