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Pistons fire head coach and president Stan Van Gundy

Posted at 1:25 PM, May 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-07 15:40:59-04

Stan Van Gundy’s time with the Pistons is over. 

In a press release sent out by the Detroit Pistons Monday afternoon, the search for new leadership, including a new head of basketball operations and a new head coach, will start immediately. 

“We have decided that this change is necessary to take our basketball organization to the next level,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores.  “This was a very difficult decision and we did not come to it lightly. I am grateful to Stan for everything he’s done for the Pistons and for the City of Detroit. He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from day one to positively impact this franchise and this community.
 
“But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum,” Mr. Gores said, emphasizing that Mr. Van Gundy, who has a year remaining on his contract, wanted to return.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news of the Pistons and Van Gundy split. 

Van Gundy, who spent four seasons as the team's president and head coach, had been meeting with owner Tom Gores for over two weeks.

Just last week, ESPN reported Gores wanted Van Gundy to return. Gores wanted Van Gundy to make changes to his front office, Wojnarowski pointed out last week. 

Van Gundy was entering the final year of his five-year contract with the Pistons. The Pistons missed the playoffs for the second straight season this year.