The Chicago Bulls were in a less than festive mood Monday, firing head coach Scott Skiles on the day before Christmas.
With the announcement, Skiles became the fall guy for an underachieving Bulls team. Tabbed by many to be a contender for the Eastern Conference title this season, Chicago (9-16) has one of the worst records in the East after dropping three of its last four games.
Scott Skiles had a sub-.500 record during the five seasons he spent with the Bulls.
(Paul Connors/Associated Press)
The Bulls' most recent loss came Saturday night, when they were booed by their home crowd throughout a 116-98 drubbing at the hands of the Houston Rockets.
"This was a difficult decision to make, but one that was necessary at this time," Chicago general manager John Paxson said in a statement. "Scott helped us in many ways during his time with the Bulls; most importantly, he helped this franchise get back to respectability.
"I am appreciative of his hard work and the imprint that he left on our team."
Skiles, 43, took over the Bulls in November 2003 and went on to post a 165-172 with the team. Last season, he steered Chicago into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1998, when Michael Jordan led the Bulls to the last of their six NBA championships.
Chicago did not immediately name a replacement for Skiles.
With files from the Associated PressRelated
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