National Basketball Association

Report: New Orleans Pelicans fire head coach Monty Williams

Published May. 12, 2015 1:15 p.m. ET

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By Vincent Frank

This has to be considered somewhat of a surprise. Coming off their first playoff appearance in four years, the New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly fired head coach Monty Williams.

For a team that was a combined 66 games under .500 in the three seasons prior to 2014-2015, Williams did a tremendous job overcoming injuries and a tough Western Conference to win 45 games and earn a playoff spot.

And while New Orleans was swept out in the first round by the top-seeded Golden State Warriors, it did seem like the team was heading in the right direction.

Yahoo Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, who was the first to report the news, called it “stunning” shortly thereafter.

In addition to earning a playoff spot this year, Williams had led the Pelicans to an increase in wins over the course of the previous three seasons. And with a young star in Anthony Davis, it appeared that he would be the guy to lead the team moving forward.

It’s rather obvious that general manager Dell Demps and company didn’t think so.

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