The Bobcats have fired head coach Mike Dunlap, reports Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). The team confirmed in a press release that Dunlap will not return, announcing that the search for his replacement will get underway immediately. The move comes after Dunlap spent just a single season in Charlotte, leading the team to a 21-61 record.
Dunlap was hired by the Bobcats last summer after a lengthy coaching search that reportedly included interviews of at least 10 candidates. Charlotte was coming off a season in which the team set a record for futility, posting a record-worst .106 winning percentage (7-59). Even though this year's 21-61 record isn't impressive by any means, it was a significant step up from last season's mark.
While the decision is a bit of a surprise, the season wasn't without incident for Dunlap and the Bobcats. He had a run-in with veteran shooting guard Ben Gordon earlier this year, and Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer wrote last week that "there are people in the organization who consider [Dunlap] arrogant." Nonetheless, I didn't expect to see Michael Jordan and the Bobcats go back to the drawing board just a year after bringing Dunlap aboard.
The move makes Charlotte the fourth Eastern Conference team to part ways with its coach since the regular season ended last Wednesday. The Pistons, Sixers, and Cavaliers are all in the market for a new head coach as well.
21 wins for Charlotte this season should be viewed as a success. They are brutal. No stability in organization and terrible personnel decisions.
that MJ for you great player bad owner
Wow. I thought he did a great job, especially with Kemba Walker. I guess if MJ gets Phil than that would be a good move. Other than that there are few coaches out there (well at least those who will want to coach the Bobcats) that would be an improvement over Dunlap.