Bulls fire Skiles

CHICAGO, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bulls Monday fired Scott Skiles as coach, a position he held for about five NBA seasons.

The NBA team, on its Web site, said Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson credited Skiles with helping "this franchise get back to respectability."

"This was a difficult decision to make but one that was necessary at this time," Paxson said in a statement.

There was no word on who would replace Skiles. The Bulls next play Wednesday in San Antonio.

Skiles put together a 165-172 record and three playoff appearances since taking over as the Bulls' coach on Nov. 28, 2003. This season Chicago is 9-16 and last in the NBA's Central Division.

In addition to five seasons with Chicago, Skiles coached three seasons at Phoenix. He has a career coaching record of 281-251.