Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks and head coach Scott
Skiles have mutually agreed to part ways.
Assistant Jim Boylan will take over for the remainder of the season.
The Bucks are just 16-16 this season entering Tuesday's game against Phoenix.
"Scott and I met (Monday) after practice and after some honest discussion, we
both came to the conclusion that it was best to part ways," said Bucks general
manager John Hammond in a statement Tuesday. "It is never an easy decision to
make, but in the end a decision we felt was best for both parties. I want to
thank Scott for his hard work, dedication and the imprint he leaves on our
team and our entire organization. We all wish him and his family well."
Skiles spent four-plus seasons as the Bucks' head coach and was in the final
year of his contract. He compiled a 162-182 record in Milwaukee.
"John and I met and mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the
best interest of both parties," Skiles said in a statement released through
the team.
"I am truly grateful for our time here. We are leaving with many fond
memories. I believe this team can and will have success in the next 50 games
and postseason. I want to thank the players for all of their hard work. I wish
them all the best."
The Bucks got off to a 6-2 start but entered Tuesday's action 10-14 since,
with the club currently mired in a four-game losing streak following
Saturday's 95-80 setback at Indiana.
Skiles was named the Bucks' head coach prior to the 2008-09 campaign and
received a one-year extension after guiding the club to a 46-36 record with an
appearance in the Eastern Conference playoffs, where the Bucks lost to Atlanta
in seven games in the quarterfinals.
Milwaukee slipped to a 35-47 mark the subsequent season and went 31-35 while
missing the playoffs in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign.
Skiles has also been a head coach in Phoenix and Chicago and owns a career
record of 443-433 with six playoff appearances over 13 seasons.
Boylan, 57, has been the lead assistant coach for the Bucks the past four
seasons, joining the team after finishing the final 56 games (24-32) of the
2007-08 season as the interim head coach of the Chicago Bulls. His NBA
coaching career began in 1992 with Cleveland and he has also served as an
assistant with Vancouver (1997-2000), Phoenix (2000-02), Atlanta (2003-04) and
Chicago (2004-08).
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