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Gentry went 175-225 since his hiring by former Pelicans general
manager Dell Demps after the club fired Monte Williams following
the 2014-15 season

The New Orleans Pelicans fired coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday
after the club missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five
seasons.

The Pelicans went 30-42 this season, finishing with just two
victories in their final eight games despite the presence of top
overall draft choice Zion Williamson and first-time All-Star
Brandon Ingram in the lineup until the club was eliminated from
playoff contention with two games to play.

“These types of moves are often about fit and timing,” Pelicans
basketball operations chief David Griffin said in announcing
Gentry’s termination. “We believe now is the right time to make
this change and bring in a new voice.”

Gentry went 175-225 since his hiring by former Pelicans general
manager Dell Demps after the club fired Monte Williams following
the 2014-15 season, when Anthony Davis was the face of the
franchise.

The Pelicans made the playoffs in Gentry's third season,
sweeping Portland in the first round before falling to eventual
champion Golden State in the second. But the Pelicans were
derailed the following season by a combination of injuries and
Davis' trade demand, which precipitated Demps' firing.

Gentry was retained even after Demps was replaced by Griffin and
the coach's contract was extended through the end of next season.

But the Pelicans faltered once again this season, starting 6-22
and laboring through a franchise record 13-game losing streak
while top overall draft choice Zion Williamson missed the first
44 games of the season with a knee injury.

The Pelicans rallied back into contention for a playoff berth
and were fully healthy when the season resumed in central
Florida late last month after a hiatus caused by the coronavirus
pandemic.

Odds makers favored the Pelicans to make the playoffs, but
losses in four of six after resuming their season eliminated
them from playoff contention.

“I want to thank Alvin for his contributions to the Pelicans and
the New Orleans community,” Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said.
“We believe that making a head coaching change is necessary at
this time. I truly appreciate Alvin’s leadership, dedication and
perseverance through some challenging circumstances over the
past five seasons.

“Our intention moving forward is to find the right head coach
that will guide this Pelicans team to compete for
championships,” Benson added. "That is what our fans deserve.”

Gentry came to New Orleans from Golden State, where he was a top
assistant under Steve Kerr when the Warriors won the 2015 NBA
title.

New Orleans was the fifth head coaching stop for Gentry, who is
65. He also has served as a head coach with Miami, Detroit, the
Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix, compiling a career coaching
record of 510-595.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pelicans-fire-alvin-gentry-after- 5-seasons-as-teams-coach
 

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