Jim O'Brien paid the price for the Indiana Pacers' recent poor run of form as team president Larry Bird fired him.O'Brien's future had been in doubt ahead of a four-game road trip and Bird decided to act after the recent poor run of seven defeats in eight games.
Bird had discussed the situation with owner Herb Simon and acted after the Pacers suffered road defeats to the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State, Portland and Denver.
The Pacers returned to Indiana to play the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night and were beaten 111-96.
"We came home to Orlando, and really, the game was over in the first three minutes," said Bird.
The Pacers went 121-169 under O'Brien in three and a half seasons and are 17-27 this season.
O'Brien was ejected from his final game, a 110-89 defeat by Chicago on Saturday night.
Assistant coach Frank Vogel will take over for the rest of the season.