Dunleavy out as LA Clippers coach

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The NBA's Los Angeles Clippers fired Coach/General Manager Mike Dunleavy Thursday and made assistant Kim Hughes interim coach.

The Clippers said Dunleavy, 54, will remain with the organization, focusing exclusively on personnel matters.

The team is 21-28, 16 1/2 games back of the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Lakers.

"I've had several conversations with owner (Donald T. Sterling) concerning what we think is best for the team overall," Dunleavy said in a statement on the team's Web site. "I've come to the conclusion that this is the ideal time for me to direct my efforts toward the many personnel opportunities that lie before us."

Dunleavy has coached the 15th most games in NBA history (1,329) and became the 21st NBA coach ever to win 600 career games on Nov. 29, 2009.