NEW YORK – Jacque Vaughn was fired as head coach of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Brooklyn Nets on Feb 19 after a 21-33 start to the campaign, the team announced.

The Nets rank 11th in the Eastern Conference, 2½ games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final play-in spot.

Vaughn, who had a brief stint as the Nets’ coach in 2020, replaced Steve Nash in November 2022 and went 71-68 guiding the Nets over parts of three seasons. He signed an extension in 2023.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one we feel is in the best interest of the team going forward,” said Nets general manager Sean Marks. “Jacque has represented this organisation with exemplary character and class for the past eight years.

“The consistent positivity and passion he poured into our team daily will remain with the players and staff he interacted with throughout his tenure.”

The Nets did not announce who will coach the squad, but ESPN reported that assistant coach Kevin Ollie is being promoted to interim head coach.

Vaughn was also fired in his third season during a head coaching stint with Orlando, guiding the Magic to a 58-158 record from 2012 to 2015.

The American, 49, played in the NBA as a point guard from 1997 through 2009. He won an NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2007 and averaged 4.5 points a game combined for the Utah Jazz, Atlanta, Orlando, San Antonio and the Nets.

“To Joe Tsai, Clara Wu-Tsai, Ollie Weisberg, Sam Zussman, Sean Marks and front office, Nets coaches, staff, players, BSE family and the entire Brooklyn borough: It was a pleasure being your head coach,” he said in a statement.

“I hope each individual I interacted with felt respected and valued. Just know I gave you everything I had every single day. Onto the next chapter. Amor Fati.”

Brooklyn return from the All-Star break to play four straight road games, starting at the Toronto Raptors on Feb 22. AFP, REUTERS