Following a disappointing four-year tenure, Stan Van Gundy’s reign as head coach and president of basketball operations of the Detroit Pistons ended as the franchise decided to “part ways” with him on Monday.
“We have decided that this change is necessary to take our basketball organization to the next level,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores according to a team statement.”
Van Gundy led the team to an underwhelming record 152-176 over the course of the past four years. His contract had one additional remaining year on his original five-year contract, along for a payout of $7 million.
His time as head coach included only one trip to the NBA Playoffs after winning 44 games in 2016, but the eventual champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers, swept them in the first round. Following this run in the postseason, the Pistons plateaued falling short of a .500 record over the course of the next two years.
“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,” said Gores. “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.”
