Pistons Fire Stan Van Gundy, 'Change Is Necessary'

DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Pistons announced Monday afternoon that Stan Van Gundy will not return as the team's president of basketball operations and head coach. The search for a new coach and head of basketball operations will start immediately, the team said.

"Over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," said Pistons owner Tom Gores in a statement posted on the team's website. "This was a very difficult decision and we did not come to it lightly."

Gores acknowledged that Van Gundy, who has been with the Pistons for four seasons, "rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago." Van Gundy had one more year left on his contract.

In his time with the Pistons, Van Gundy had a regular-season record of 152-176 (.463) and posted a 44-38 (.536) regular-season record in 2015-16 and led the club to its first postseason appearance since the 2008-09 season.

As president of basketball operations, Van Gundy and general manager Jeff Bower initiated the re-signing of Andre Drummond, selected first round draft picks Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson and Luke Kennard and made notable trade acquisitions for Blake Griffin, Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley.

File photo: Head coach Stan Van Gundy reacts while playing the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena on February 12, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)