Paul Silas will not return to Charlotte to coach the Bobcats next season, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. The team confirmed the decision in a press release.
The move is hardly a surprise, since Silas' contract was set to expire and the Bobcats finished the season with an all-time-worst 7-59 record. Even outside of posting an NBA-record-low .106 winning percentage and ending the season on a 23-game losing streak, Silas and the Bobcats endured their share of turmoil. Silas, 68, reportedly clashed with Boris Diaw before the veteran was waived, and the coach had a locker-room altercation with Tyrus Thomas as well. Silas also received some criticism for allowing his son Stephen to coach a handful of games.
When I previewed the Bobcats' offseason earlier today, I didn't touch on the coaching situation, but the task of finding a new coach now figures to be at the top of the team's summer to-do list. According to Bonnell, candidates the Bobcats could consider include Nate McMillan, Mike D'Antoni and Patrick Ewing. Of course, if other coaching jobs open up over the next few weeks, it's hard to imagine Charlotte being the first choice of any big-name candidate.