FILE – Head coach Lloyd Pierce of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 01, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The Atlanta Hawks fired head coach Lloyd Pierce after two-plus seasons, the team announced Monday.
Atlanta will name Nate McMillan as interim coach, ESPN reported. McMillan most recently coached the Indiana Pacers, who fired him in August.
Pierce, hired in May 2018, went 63-120 in 183 games. It was his first head coaching stint. The Hawks are currently 14-20 and sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
“We would like to thank Lloyd for his work and commitment to not only the Hawks organization but the city of Atlanta. He and his wife, Melissa, are tremendous people who have made a positive impact throughout the city,” Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk said in a statement. “We have high expectations for our team on the court and we believe by making this change now that we can have a strong second half of the season.”
The Hawks finished 20-47 last season, fourth-worst in the league.
McMillan will take over on an interim role with a career record of 661-588 for a .529 winning percentage. He has coached in Seattle, Portland and Indiana.