The Detroit Pistons have fired head coach Monty Williams one season after he signed a record-setting contract.
Williams, who was hired last year on a historic six-year, $78.5 million contract, has been dismissed after a disastrous 14-68 season that included a 28-game losing streak.
The decision to fire Williams was made at the ownership level.
“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 statement. “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.”
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“I have great respect for Monty as a coach and as a person and I am certain he will be successful in his future endeavors,” added Gores. “I sincerely wish him and his family the very best.”
The new Pistons team president Trajan Langdon will now move to make a new coaching hire.
The Pistons hired Langdon as the new president, looking to make significant changes in the front office. The Pistons also parted ways with general manager Troy Weaver after four seasons and a 74-244 record.
Williams, 52, joined a Pistons squad that hadn't made the playoffs since 2019 and hadn't won a playoff game since 2008. Dwane Casey's five-year run as head coach came to an end after Detroit went 17-65 in 2022-23, which was their fourth straight season with 23 or fewer wins.
This was Williams' third NBA head-coaching gig following previous stops in New Orleans and Phoenix. He spent the past four seasons as Phoenix's head coach, leading the Suns to a 194-115 record (.628 winning percentage), three playoff appearances and one NBA Finals trip over that span.
Williams was relieved of his duties after the Suns' season ended with a blowout second-round loss on their home court for the second consecutive postseason.
While Williams looks for his next coaching stint, he still gets to take home the more than $65 million left on his contract with the Pistons.
