Report: Daly to Leave Pistons After Season

Chuck Daly will leave after this season as coach of the Detroit Pistons, according to a published report on Monday.

Booth Newspapers, quoting an unidentified Piston player, reported that Daly called the team together Saturday evening and told players of his decision.

Daly will coach the U.S. Olympic basketball team this summer in Barcelona and is reportedly in line to become coach and general manager of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs fired coach Larry Brown earlier this season. General Manager Bob Bass took over the Spurs on an interim basis.

Daly couldn’t be reached immediately for comment on the report. The team left on a trip to New York on Monday afternoon.

“When Chuck makes an official announcement, we’ll have a comment. Chuck has not made an official statement yet,” said Jack McCloskey, the Pistons’ general manager.

Daly considered retiring from coaching to work as a color commentator for NBC-TV after the Pistons won their second NBA championship in 1990.

His nine-year record in Detroit, through Sunday’s victory over the Miami Heat, is 471-301, 15th on the NBA all-time list, and his playoff record is 69-39.

Booth said a Piston player said Saturday’s meeting began as an airing-out session and ended with Daly’s announcement that he would be leaving.

Daly reportedly told McCloskey and owner Bill Davidson of his decision Sunday night.