Hawks reportedly fire Kruger
December 26, 2002
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Hawks fired coach Lon Kruger on Thursday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its Web site.
The Hawks, 11-16 this season, called an evening news conference, but did not specify a reason.
The news came hours after the Thrashers, a team also owned by AOL Time-Warner, fired their coach, Curt Fraser. Hawks officials did not immediately return telephone calls to The Associated Press.
Hawks assistant coach Terry Stotts was to be named interim coach, according to the newspaper.
The Hawks guaranteed season ticket holders they would make the playoffs this season, but they've struggled in the first two months with an 11-16 record, fifth in the Central Division.
Kruger compiled a 69-122 record in more than two seasons with the Hawks.
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