Nets fire Coach Lawrence Frank

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The winless New Jersey Nets played Sunday night under an interim coach, hours after longtime Coach Lawrence Frank was fired.

Frank's dismissal came before the Nets' 17th consecutive loss this season, a 106-87 drubbing by the Los Angeles Lakers. The loss tied an NBA record for the most defeats to start a season.

Tom Barrise, an assistant coach, was named interim coach while the team looked for a permanent replacement for Frank.

Frank became the Nets' head coach in 2004 after serving as interim coach for several months.

"I want to thank Lawrence for his more than a decade of service to the Nets, first as an assistant coach and then as the head coach for the past 6 1/2 seasons," Nets President Rod Thorn said.

The Nets had made the playoffs four straight years but had losing records each of the past two seasons.

Frank's career record is 225-241.