George Karl was honored with the Coach Of The Year award last month, but now he’s looking for a new job. Yep, the Denver Nuggets have fired the NBA’s best coach.
According to Yahoo News , Karl and the Nuggets decided to part ways after a disagreement about the coach’s contract.
Karl had one year left on his campaign and was hoping to sign an extension. Nuggets management didn’t want to commit to any additional seasons and decided to fire Karl instead.
CBS Sports reports that Karl has been unhappy with the organization since general manager Masai Ujiri, who won Executive of the Year this season, left the team for the Raptors. Karl wanted the team to commit to him for another couple of seasons but CEO Josh Kroenke decided to fire the coach instead of dealing with negotiations.
The Denver Nuggets went 57-25 this season, their best record since Karl took over in 2005, but they had a disappointing playoff run.
The Nuggets will reportedly seek out Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw. Karl will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors while many are speculating that the NBA’s Coach Of The Year could end up Clippers, Grizzlies or the Nets.
The Denver Nuggets confirmed the news today on Twitter.
OFFICIAL: Coach George Karl will not return for final year of contract in 2013-14. on.nba.com/ZSfppd
— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) June 6, 2013
Kroenke said: “George has been an instrumental part of our success over the past decade, and we appreciate everything he did to keep us among the top teams in the Western Conference. He is a Hall of Fame coach whose legacy in Denver will last for years to come. George is a legend in the game of basketball and I could not have more respect for him as a person and coach.”
May 2013 – George Karl named NBA Coach of the Year.June 2013 – George Karl out of a job.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 6, 2013
So we lost a GM now a coach what’s next!?
— Kenneth Faried (@KennethFaried35) June 6, 2013
George Karl earned nine-consecutive playoff appearances with the Nuggets and had a regular-season record of 423-257. Karl’s Nuggets only made it past the first round of the playoffs once.