Rockets name McHale their head coach

HOUSTON, June 1 (UPI) -- The Houston Rockets Wednesday named Kevin McHale as their new head coach, replacing the fired Rick Adelman.

McHale, 53, a Hall of Fame player with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s, previously coached the Minnesota Timberwolves in two stints totaling 94 games and worked in the team's front office from 1993-2009.

Adelman, who coached the Rockets for four seasons, was let go after the team finished the 2010-11 season with a 43-39 record and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

"As we explored the opportunity to come to Houston, it felt like the right situation for me," McHale said. "I enjoy the competitive nature of our game and I am looking forward to getting to work with the very talented roster of players that are already in place here in Houston."

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander cited McHale's success as a player with the Celtics, with whom he won three NBA championships and was selected as an all-star seven times over a 13-year career.

"Kevin's hard-nosed work ethic and tenacity on the court led him to a Hall of Fame career and a legacy as one of the NBA's greatest low post players of all time," Alexander said.