Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Clippers have decided to part ways with head coach Vinny Del Negro after three seasons.
The Clippers announced Tuesday that they will not offer a new contract to Del Negro. A search for a new coach will begin immediately.
The Clippers were 56-26 this past season and won the Pacific Division for the first time in franchise history, then were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Del Negro's teams improved during each of his three seasons at the helm. They were 32-50 in his first year and 40-26 during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign. Los Angeles reached the second round of the playoffs last spring, beating Memphis in the first round before a sweep at the hands of San Antonio.
Overall, Del Negro posted a mark of 128-102 with the Clippers.
"We would like to thank Vinny for everything he did during his three years with the organization," Clippers vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks said. "Vinny helped this team win a Pacific Division title and we greatly appreciate all that he and his staff helped us accomplish. This was a difficult decision, but we feel this is the best decision for our franchise moving forward."
Del Negro, who played 14 NBA seasons from 1988-2002, holds a 210-184 overall mark in five years as a head coach. He also coached the Bulls for two seasons.
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