Doug Collins was fired as coach of the Washington Wizards on Friday, following Michael Jordan out the door in another shake-up by owner Abe Pollin.
Collins was Jordan's hand-picked choice for the Wizards, who failed to make the playoffs in Jordan's two seasons with the team. The coach had two years remaining on his four-year contract.
"With seven head coaching positions available in the league and with his future here in Washington in doubt, I felt that it was only fair that Doug be given a chance to pursue other interests," Pollin said in a statement on the Wizards' Web site.
Jordan was the Wizards' president of basketball operations when he hired Collins in April 2001. Jordan then decided to return as a player, putting Collins in the unusual position of coaching the person who hired him. The Wizards went 37-45 both seasons.
Earlier this month, Pollin decided that Jordan, who had retired as a player again, would not be allowed to return to the front office, putting Collins' future in doubt.
Collins was dismissed even as Pollin was promising refunds to fans who were unhappy with his offseason moves.
"My pledge to you: If you are not satisfied with the direction of our basketball franchise after this summer, I will refund your season ticket deposit in full," Pollin wrote in a letter to season ticket-holders. A copy of the letter, dated June 2, was obtained by The Associated Press on Friday.
Last week, Pollin said Collins' fate would not be decided until he hired a new president of basketball operations, who in turn would select the team's coach.
But the fact that Collins was still technically an employee made it awkward for Pollin to pursue some candidates. The Washington Post, citing sources, reported Friday that former Philadelphia coach Larry Brown canceled an interview for a potential front office-coaching position out of respect for Collins.
A Wizards spokeswoman said Pollin would have no further comment. In his letter to season ticket-holders, Pollin said he has "interviewed and will continue to interview the brightest available basketball minds in the business."
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