Rockets Fire Fitch With Three Years Left on His Contract

Houston Rockets Coach Bill Fitch, who had been criticized by star center Akeem Olajuwon during the season, was fired Monday with three years remaining on his contract.

Fitch drew criticism from Olajuwon for his iron-fisted approach when the Rockets slumped near the end of the season.

The Rockets said they would begin a search immediately for a new coach and personnel director. Fitch had held both positions.

The Rockets lost in the first round of the National Basketball Assn. playoffs to the Dallas Mavericks, a factor in his firing.

“We felt that we didn’t make progress at the end of the year,” General Manager Ray Patterson said. “We were playing under .500 ball with pretty good personnel. So we felt it was time for a change.”

Fitch could not be reached for comment.

The Rockets were on the brink of becoming an NBA power in 1986, reaching the NBA finals, where they lost to Boston. Houston had the Twin Towers lineup of Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson, who this season was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

The team never developed consistency, and near the end of the season bumper stickers reading “Ditch Fitch” were being displayed.

Fitch previously coached at Boston and Cleveland and ranks fifth on the all-time coaching list with a record of 762-714 in 18 seasons.