Byron Scott is out in New Orleans early into his sixth season with the team. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)The New Orleans Hornets have fired coach Byron Scott, just over 18 months after being named NBA coach of the year.
New Orleans has won just three of its first nine games to start the season. The Hornets were dumped 124-104 by Phoenix on Wednesday night.
General manager Jeff Bower will take over coaching duties, assisted by the man Scott replaced, Tim Floyd.
"I want to thank Byron for the hard work he has put in during his time with the Hornets," team owner George Shinn said in a statement. "I’ve hired Jeff Bower to take over the coaching reins. He knows this team better than anyone, has the respect of the players, and in basketball circles, is regarded as one of the best basketball minds in the business. This is our best opportunity to reach our goals this season."'
Bower has been with the organization for 15 years in a number of capacities, including as an assistant when Floyd coached the team to a 41-41 record in 2003-04.
"I told Jeff, 'The genie's out of the bottle,' " said Hugh Weber, Hornets chief operating officer. "Nobody can say he doesn't have the right players. … Jeff has hand-selected this team, and we like the idea that now he'll be held accountable for the results.
"Our expectations are high. Our sense of urgency is high. Our patience is low and we hope that translates into results quickly."
Floyd has coached the Chicago Bulls, and most recently, the University of Southern California.
Scott appeared to have New Orleans on track to becoming one of the elite Western teams after a 56-26 record in 2007-08, with the Hornets taking San Antonio to seven games in the second round of the playoffs .
But the Hornets won seven fewer games last season and bowed out in just five playoff games to Denver.
Scott, 47, spent nearly four seasons with the New Jersey Nets, who twice made the NBA final in his tenure. He has a coaching record of 352-355 after a 16-year career as a player that included three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
