CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Allan Bristow Tuesday became the third NBA coach in 24 hours to lose his job, after stepping down from the head spot with the Charlotte Hornets. 'Allan and I came to a mutual agreement that it was time for us to make a change and head in a different direction,' said Hornets owner George Shinn. 'Allan has been with us a long time. I feel he always did the very best job he possibly could.' The Hornets and Bristow announced Tuesday that both sides mutually agreed on a coaching change for the 1996-97 season. No successor has been named. 'We will begin the search for a head coach immediately,' said Hornets Vice President of Basketball Operations Bob Bass. 'Our primary goal is to bring in the best available coach for our particular team. Combining that with our two first round draft picks and our salary slot, we feel we are heading in the right direction.' The New Jersey Nets fired Butch Beard and the Toronto Raptors dumped Brendan Malone Monday. The Hornets, who traded center Alonzo Mourning to Miami in a six- player deal just before thestart of the season, finished at 41-41 and failed to make the playoffs after recording a franchise-record 50 victories in 1994-95. Charlotte was involved in a race with the Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But the Hornets finished the season with four losses in their last six games and dropped their final four home games, including a 116-95 loss to the Heat on April 10.
Bristow compiled a 207-203 mark in five seasons at Charlotte. He guided the Hornets to a second trip to the NBA playoffs in 1994-95. But Charlotte was beaten in the first round by the Chicago Bulls. The Hornets' 50-32 mark was nine games better than their previous season. Before moving to the sidelines in 1991, Bristow spent a year as Charlotte's vice president of basketball operations. He was responsible for drafting Mourning. Bristow played 10 years in the NBA and averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 rebounds. He was selected in the second round of the 1973 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and played two seasons with the Sixers before signing with the San Antonio Spurs. After spending four years with San Antonio, Bristow played two seasons apiece for Utah and Dallas. Following his playing career, Bristow was an assistant coach for the Spurs and Denver Nuggets.
