NEW YORK, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- As rumored, the torturous tenure of Don Chaney as basketball coach of the New York Knicks has ended.
Late Wednesday, he was fired by team president Isiah Thomas.
Chaney is a former Coach of the Year, who earned the honor in the 1990-91 campaign after guiding the Houston Rockets to a mark of 52-30. In recent days, he has endured chants of "fire Chaney" from disgruntled fans at Madison Square Garden.
Chaney was a member of two world championship teams as a player with the Boston Celtics in 1969 and '74, and was a five-time All-Defensive second-team choice.
He succeeded Jeff Van Gundy on Dec. 10, 2001.
The Knicks, who host Orlando Wednesday night, were 15-24 under Chaney, who had an overall mark of 72-112.
Herb Williams will guide the Knicks against the Magic.
