NEW ORLEANS, July 13 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Hornets and General Manager Jeff Bower have mutually agreed "to part ways," the team said Tuesday.
In a statement, Hornets President Hugh Weber said Bower was out as Hornets GM effectively immediately.
"We feel it is in the best interest for us and Jeff to part ways at this time," Weber said. "Our search for a new general manager is already under way. We will target basketball minds that are highly respected in the basketball circles and someone that will help in our pursuit of building a championship team."
Bower spent 14-plus seasons with the club, starting out as a scout and advancing to coaching and general manager positions. He served as general manager from 2001-2003 and was re-appointed to the post at the start of the 2005-06 season.
Bower served as head coach last season after the Nov. 12 firing of Byron Scott, guiding the Hornets to a 34-39 record (.466).
