The Detroit Pistons continue to make sweeping changes following their worst season in franchise history.
The NBA club confirmed Wednesday afternoon that it fired head coach Monty Williams after one season.
The news was first reported Wednesday morning by ESPN.
"Decisions like these are difficult to make, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication," said Pistons owner Tom Gores in a media release. "Coaching has many dynamic challenges that emerge during a season and Monty always handled those with grace. However, after reviewing our performance carefully and assessing our current position as an organization, we will chart a new course moving forward."
Williams was hired last year to a record six-year, $78.5-million U.S. contract. He had come off a successful run with the Phoenix Suns, taking them to the NBA Finals in 2021. The Pistons will be on the hook for the remaining five years of that deal.
Williams' tenure in Detroit was a rocky one. He was brought in to succeed Dwane Casey, who left the bench to take a front-office position. After Williams was hired with fanfare to lead a rebuilding team, the Pistons began the season 2-29, losing a franchise record 28 games in a row. The Pistons finished 14-68.
Detroit last won an NBA title in 2004. Since then, they've made the playoffs just six times, the most recent in 2019.
Since the end of the season, the Pistons also fired general manager Troy Weaver, hired Trajan Langdon as president of basketball operations, and hired Fred Vinson as an assistant coach. Langdon and Vinson were previously with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, the team reported.
The Pistons will make the fifth overall selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, taking place in New York on June 26 and 27.
