Avery Johnson Fired As Head Coach Of Brooklyn Nets, Will Phil Jackson Take Spot As New Brooklyn Coach?

The Brooklyn Nets have relieved Avery Johnson of his head coaching duties, it was announced on Thursday by General Manager Billy King. A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

“The Nets ownership would like to express thanks to Avery for his efforts and to wish him every success in the future,” Brooklyn Nets principal owner Mikhail Prokhorov said in a statement obtained by IBTimes.

Johnson, 47, was named head coach of the Nets on June 15, 2010 and in two-plus seasons, compiled a record of 60-116.

As he was in the final year of his contract, Johnson was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for October and November following an 11-4 start.

According to ESPN New York, the team was prompted to move in another direction after winning just three of their last 13 games in December.

As the Nets, who currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, continue to struggle, fans will now start to speculate on who will be the one to show them the light at the end of the tunnel.

Just two months ago, various reports surfaced that expressed coaching interest on the part of 11-time NBA champion coach and the currently unemployed Phil Jackson.

Several sports news outlets reported that Jackson was interested in the coaching the Los Angeles Lakers after the team fired Mike Brown.

The rumors started to become credible when the Los Angeles Times reported that the Lakers and Jackson planned on meeting. As it is now known, the Lakers chose former Knicks head coach Mike D’antoni.

Check back for more IBTimes updates as the Brooklyn Nets start their search for a new head coach.