Fitzgerald Cecilio

The Detroit Pistons have dismissed Lawrence Frank as head coach after a disappointing 29-53 campaign this season.

"We thank Lawrence for his hard work and dedication, but we feel it is in the best interest of the franchise to make a change at this time," Pistons president Joe Dumars said. "Decisions like this are never easy and we wish Lawrence well in the future."

Frank's firing came as no surprise after the Pistons lost 27 of 36 games in the second half of the season before winning four of their final five.

In his two years with Detroit, Frank garnered a record of 54-94. He was informed of his firing when he met with Pistons owner Tom Gores, who expected the team to make the playoffs this year after missing postseason since the 2007-2008 season.

Frank made it to the playoffs three times in six seasons with the New Jersey Nets before he was fired in 2009. He then worked as an assistant in Boston under Doc Rivers.

Frank was scheduled to earn a reported $4 million next season, with the Pistons holding a $4 million team option for the 2014-15 season.

The firing capped a tumultuous season for Frank, who has been battling personal problems as his wife had been ill, forcing him to miss several Pistons games in March.

 

 

 

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Pistons Fire Lawrence Frank after 29-win Season