Vincent Ousted As Head Coach Following Bobcat's Dismal Season

Charlotte, N.C. (AHN) - The Charlotte Bobcats fired coach Sam Vincent on Saturday after leading the team to a dismal season.

Vincent, who never held the head coach position in any NBA team before, was ousted from his position after failing to lead the four-year franchise into the playoffs and other issues raised against him by the team. Vincent was unsuccessful in finding the right rotation for the Bobcats, who did not fare well finishing the season with a 32-50 record less than one win Charlotte posted in the 2006 season.

Charlotte was expected to finish strong this season following the acquisition of Jason Richardson in a draft night trade with Golden State plus the incentive of an increase in the payroll. But Vincent struggled to inspire the team often embarrassing players regarding their personal effort and commitment to the team during interviews with reporters. Most of the time he would juggle players like Raymond Felton from the point to the shooting guard position, just to find the right combination that would click. Oftentimes he would start from a big line-up then switch to a smaller one adding confusion and frustration to the players.

Despite the negative feedback, Vincent, still enjoys the backing and support of majority owner Bob Johnson. While part-time owner former NBA star Michael Jordan, who took a chance in picking Vincent for the position is keeping his opinions to himself and would give his decision regarding Vincent's fate after the season. Jordan has a final say on all basketball related decisions.

A possible candidate to replace Vincent is former NBA coach Larry Brown who recently resigned as executive vice president of the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Brown and Jordan have known each other since the player's stint with North Carolina.

"Larry is interested in getting back into coaching in the pros or college," Brown's agent Joe Glass told the AP on Saturday.

A former Boston Celtics first-round choice, Vincent worked as an assistant under coach Avery Johnson in Dallas for one year. Vincent is also a one-time teammate of Jordan in Chicago.