Kevin McHale is out in Houston and being replaced by former Golden Gopher guard J.B. Bickerstaff, according to
The Houston Rockets fired coach Kevin McHale, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2015
” target=”_blank”>Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
McHale, 57, being fired as head coach of the Rockets (4-7) is a bit of a surprise just 11 games into the season and a year removed from leading Houston to the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors, who are 12-0 to start this season.
The Houston Rockets fired coach Kevin McHale, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2015
J.B. Bickerstaff, will become interim head coach, league sources tell Yahoo. Assistant Chris Finch will become associate head coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2015
Grueling decision for Rockets, who extended McHale year ago and think the world of as a man.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2015
McHale signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension with Houston last December, ESPN notes.
McHale, also a former Gopher, began his coaching career with the Timberwolves in 2005 and previously played for the Celtics during his 13-year Hall of Fame career. He is from Hibbing, Minnesota.
Bickerstaff played for the Gophers from 1999-2001 before turning to the NBA as a broadcaster and coach. He was a color commentator on the Timberwolves Radio Network during the 2003-04 and worked previously as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats, Timberwolves and Rockets.
