Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 9, 1990 TAG: 9005090152
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOSTON LENGTH: Medium
"This has been a very difficult and trying time for all of us," said Jan Volk, the Celtics' general manager. "We felt that we needed to make a change, and in the interest of all concerned we felt it necessary to Rodgers do so as quickly as possible."
Rodgers would only say that he was shocked and refused to comment further.
Also fired was assistant coach Lanny Van Eman. Chris Ford, an assistant and former Celtics player was retained and will be considered as a replacement for Rodgers, Volk said.
The shake-up came 48 hours after the Celtics were ousted from the NBA playoffs - the first time since 1952 they were eliminated in the first round in successive seasons. The loss also marked the first time the Celtics had lost to the Knicks at Boston Garden in 27 games - more than six years.
"Right now, we're also going to take some time to set various options and look at various candidates," Volk said. "We don't have a precise timetable for naming a successor, but Chris Ford will be a very serious candidate."
"I didn't expect the coach to be let go," said center Robert Parish, adding that he had expected some player changes.
Kevin McHale, a member of three NBA championship teams along with Parish and Larry Bird, also said he was surprised.
"I feel bad for Jimmy. I knew that they were going to do something, but I didn't expect anything this soon," McHale told WCVB-TV in Boston.
In two seasons under Rodgers, the Celtics were 94-70, but they were 2-6 in playoff games.
Rodgers, from Franklin Park, Ill., was an assistant to K.C. Jones for five years until he was named head coach in May 1988.
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB