Flip Saunders was fired Saturday and replaced by Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale for the rest of the season.
Saunders, who had the second-longest tenure among NBA coaches, will be reassigned within the organization, the team said.
McHale, who will coach the Timberwolves for the rest of the season, said he called Saunders on Saturday morning to break the news.
``We talked this morning, and it was very, very hard,'' McHale said. ``We've known each other for a long time, but our last 32 games we're 12-20, and just not playing at a level that's acceptable, energy-wise.
``Maybe a new voice will help,'' McHale said. ``I'm going to do my best to get these guys competing at a higher level.''
Saunders, who had the second-longest tenure among NBA coaches, will be reassigned within the organization, the team said.
McHale, who will coach the Timberwolves for the rest of the season, said he called Saunders on Saturday morning to break the news.
``We talked this morning, and it was very, very hard,'' McHale said. ``We've known each other for a long time, but our last 32 games we're 12-20, and just not playing at a level that's acceptable, energy-wise.
``Maybe a new voice will help,'' McHale said. ``I'm going to do my best to get these guys competing at a higher level.''