The Detroit Pistons will be among the teams searching for a new head coach this summer, as they have reportedly decided to part ways with Stan Van Gundy.
Reports on Monday made it seem as though the split was a mutual decision.
Source: Stan Van Gundy and the Pistons have parted ways.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 7, 2018
Van Gundy met with Pistons officials within the hour and now team moves onto a search for a new President of Basketball Operations and coach. Those jobs will be separated now.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 7, 2018
Van Gundy is entering the final year of his contract and likely did not want to be a lame duck coach. He showed improvement upon taking over the franchise, as the Pistons went from consecutive 29-53 seasons to 32-50 in Van Gundy’s first season. Then they made a big leap and went 44-38 and made the playoffs in his second season. Since then, they’ve had consecutive seasons where they’ve gone below .500.
Comments last month from Pistons owner Tom Gores sure made it seem like Van Gundy’s job would be in jeopardy. As Adrian Wojnarowski notes, the coach was also in charge of basketball operations in Detroit, so Detroit will have to bring in more than one person to replace him.
