Former Pistons coach Larry Brown leaves Bobcats

Published Dec. 22, 2010 3:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

By MIKE CRANSTON
Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After a miserable start to the season in which
he took shots at his players and himself, the well-traveled Larry Brown
is out as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Owner Michael Jordan announced the move
in a release by the team on Wednesday, a day after the Bobcats were
outscored 31-12 in the fourth quarter in their fourth straight loss.

"I met with Coach Brown two weeks ago
about the team's performance and what we could do to improve it," Jordan
said. "We met again this morning after practice. The team has clearly
not lived up to either of our expectations and we both agreed that a
change was necessary."

The 70-year-old Brown, a Hall of Fame
coach who was in the third season of his 13th professional and college
head coaching job, had been upset with his team for weeks. The Bobcats
(9-19) had lost three games by 31 or more points in 10 days before
Tuesday's fourth-quarter meltdown against Oklahoma City.

Brown, who had two years left on his contract, didn't immediately return a message on his cell phone seeking comment.

"This was a difficult decision for both
of us, but one that needed to be made," Jordan said. "I want to thank
Larry for everything he has done for our team. He has played a key role
in this organization's development including coaching us to our
first-ever playoff appearance last season.

"Larry will continue to be a valuable advisor to me regarding the team."

No successor was immediately named and
Jordan said a search would begin immediately. The Bobcats are off until
Monday when they host Detroit.

Dec. 22, 2010