Doug Moe Out as Coach at Denver : Basketball: The departure comes as no surprise as a shake-up continues in the front office and team lineup.

Doug Moe, the wise-cracking coach of the Denver Nuggets for 10 years, stepped down today after months of speculation about his job status.

The departure of Moe was not a surprise as the Nuggets, purchased last year by Bertram Lee, Peter Bynoe and Robert Wussler, continue to shake up the front office and the team’s composition.

General manager Bernie Bickerstaff, who recently left the Seattle SuperSonics to help restructure the Nuggets, would not address questions on who will replace Moe.

“All parties agree it is best if we move in another direction. The very success of an NBA franchise in Denver, and the fact that there is even a team here, is because of Doug Moe,” Nuggets President Carl Scheer said at a news conference. “I would like to think of this as a period of tribute instead of mourning.”

Moe coached the San Antonio Spurs for four seasons, compiling a 177-135 record, before coming to the Nuggets as an assistant coach in 1980. He was elevated to head coach midway through the 1980-81 season. His 10-year record in Denver was 432-357, and he led the Nuggets to two Midwest Division titles, winning Coach-of-the-Year honors in 1987-88. Last March, he became the 11th coach in NBA history to win 600 games.

Moe, emotional during his remarks today, said he has had discussions in the last few weeks with Bickerstaff and Bynoe. At a meeting Wednesday night, it was decided to end the relationship.

“When a new ownership group comes in, I think they need their own identity,” Moe said. “Personally, I don’t think this is a bad move for them. We weren’t able to work things out and the organization decided to go another way. I wish them the best of luck. I have no regrets whatsoever, no animosity. But after 10 years, it’s tough to leave the people you’re close to.

“Taking everything into consideration, I think it’s best it turned out this way. Now, I can do what I do best for awhile, which is absolutely nothing. I’ll be able to be a fan for awhile. I don’t know if I’ll ever get back in coaching.”

None of the principals would discuss what particular disagreements the Nuggets’ front office had with Moe. It is known, however, that Robert Wussler, head of COMSAT, which became the new owner of the team last fall, has been critical of Moe as a coach.

Bickerstaff said the move was “a collective decision. I said I was going to come in and observe the organization. I said at the time if there was an impasse, there was always the possibility that something could happen.

“My respect for Doug Moe as a coach is unparalleled,” he said. “But last night, we sat down and we all agreed this was the best for the organization.”