Mike Dunleavy steps down as Clippers coach, remains GM

The Clippers announced Thursday afternoon that Mike Dunleavy has stepped down as head coach and that assistant coach Kim Hughes will assume the head coach's  position for the remainder of the season.

Dunleavy will remain as Clippers general manager. He is under contract through the 2010-11 season.

The Clippers just concluded a 2-6 road trip with a loss to Atlanta on Wednesday and are a season-worst seven games under .500.

Clippers President Andy Roeser said in a statement: "It just seems clear that the team needs a fresh voice and we hope the players will respond in a positive way."

Dunleavy became the Clippers' head coach for the 2003-04 season. The Clippers made the playoffs only once under Dunleavy, after the 2005-06 season.

People have taken to Twitter to express both their support and pity for Dunleavy. Here is a sampling of what the kids are saying:

suberbus wrote: So Mike Dunleavy is out as coach of the Clippers, but is still the GM. Amazing. He's Isiah without the smile, but is still employed.

Jimmy Bramlett wrote: Funny. Mike Dunleavy fired himself.

russbengtson wrote: When I think of the Mike Dunleavy era with the Clippers, I...oh, who am I kidding.

MacOneOh wrote: shoutout to fired clippers coach mike dunleavy...its ok homie dont matter who their coach is...they wont win

Lockedonsports wrote: Mike Dunleavy's firing is the 236th coaching chance since Jerry Sloan became the head coach of the utahjazz.

DannyLeroux wrote: Mike Dunleavy stepping down as Clipper coach to focus on GM...like John Edwards stepping down as Prez-candidate to be better father/husband

Joey_Kaufman wrote: GM Mike Dunleavy fires himself as head coach of the Clippers. I'm still laughing. This could only happen in Clipperdom.

mikebyze wrote: Sounds to me like Mike Dunleavy was tired of coaching the Clippers, not forced out. Otherwise I doubt they would have kept him as GM

ZBut wrote: Mike Dunleavy just got fired as Clippers head coach. Blake's career as a Clipper just became more promising.

unhearthreat wrote: Bittersweet about mike dunleavy. Don't know if I should be happy or sad

What do you think of the decision? Are the Clippers "cursed," or will they improve under new leadership? Should they remain in Los Angeles, or make an escape to Anaheim?

Get your fix for things Clippers here.

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy (Follow me on Twitter @GerrickKennedy)

Comments

[kwhy8strm]

Yes the Clippers are cursed, having said that Dunleavy should have been fired a long time ago

[Jack Benko]

I believe the Clippers should move out of Los Angeles. They seem to have a perception of being 2nd fiddle to the Lakers. Consequently, players who come to LA tend to choose the Lakers over the Clippers.
Anaheim seems like a good city, they could reverse what the Angels did:instead of calling themselves the LA Clippers, they could call themselves the "California Clippers". Besides, a change of scenery might do them good. Sad to see Dunleavy go:his record as a Clipper's coach was better than most, and making the playoffs even once is good when looked at in that light.