Kings Ax Head Coach, Assistant

The Sacramento Kings fired coach Eddie Jordan and assistant Mike Bratz on Tuesday.

The team said in a written statement that a search for a replacement for Jordan would begin immediately.

Geoff Petrie, vice president of basketball operations for the Kings, said that the Kings "have given them the opportunity to remain with the franchise as outside consultants during their search for other opportunities."

Jordan, who joined the Kings as an assistant in 1992, compiled a 33-64 record as coach after replacing Garry St. Jean in the final weeks of the 1996-97 season. Sacramento finished 27-55 under Jordan in 1997-98, his only full season coach.

Jordan, 43, played seven seasons in the NBA and was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers' championship squad in 1982. He also played for Cleveland, New Jersey and Portland.

After retiring from the NBA, Jordan began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Rutgers in 1984. He then became a part-time assistant at Boston College for one year and returned to Rutgers as a full-time assistant for four years before joining the Kings.

Bratz, 42, played nine seasons for six NBA teams before retiring in 1986. He has worked five seasons as an assistant with the Kings.

Petrie said in his written statement that removing Jordan and Bratz "was a tough decision for our organization."

"But after a series of discussions with (managing general partner) Jim Thomas, it was decided that a coaching change was necessary," Petrie said.

© 1998 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved