PISTONS FIRE VAN GUNDY
Coach leaves with 152-176 record
Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores is once again looking for a new path for his team.
On Monday, the Pistons announced president of basketball operations and head coach Stan Van Gundy would not be returning.
The 58-year-old Van Gundy had one year remaining on a five-year deal for US$35 million that he signed in May of 2014.
“We have decided that this change is necessary to take our basketball organization to the next level,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. “This was a very difficult decision and we did not come to it lightly. I am grateful to Stan for everything he’s done for the Pistons and for the City of Detroit.
“He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic and took us to the playoffs two years ago.”
The Pistons reached the playoffs just once in Van Gundy’s four sea- sons. Cleveland swept the club in the first round of the 2016 playoffs, but it was Detroit’s first post-season appearance since 2009. However, that 2015-16 season was Van Gundy’s lone winning season with the Pistons and he departs with a 152-176 record (. 463 winning percentage) in his time with the club.
“He went all-in from Day 1 to positively impact this franchise and this community, but over the past two seasons our team has not progressed and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum,” Gores said. Gores, who bought the team in the spring of 2011, brought in Lawrence Frank as head coach in 2011-12, but he was let go after back-to-back losing seasons. Frank was replaced by Maurice Cheeks, who was fired midway through the season and John Loyer finished the campaign.
At the end of the season, the club announced general manager Joe Dumars was stepping down and a month later Van Gundy was hired. “Although we did not get the success both of us wanted, (Van Gundy’s) efforts and leadership have put the franchise in better shape today than when he came on board,” Gores said. Under Van Gundy and general manager Jeff Bower, the Pistons re-signed centre Andrew Drummond while making Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson and Luke Kennard first-round picks.
He was also responsible for the Blake Griffin trade along with deals that brought Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley to Detroit. “Stan is a competitor and he wanted to finish the job,” Gores said. “He retooled a roster that we think can be very competitive in the (Eastern Conference). I know he’s disappointed, and that he cares deeply about his players, his staff, this organization and this city. He’s also a professional who will make sure this is a seamless transition and someone I hope will be a friend and adviser to me long after this transition is completed.” The club announced the process for a new leadership group, which will include a new head of basketball operations and new head coach, will start immediately.