Beleaguered Fitch Resigns as New Jersey Coach

Bill Fitch resigned as coach of the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday, a decision that was not surprising after a season in which he feuded with some of his players.

Fitch, 57, left less than two weeks after the Nets were eliminated in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The leading candidates to replace Fitch reportedly are former Atlanta Hawk coach Mike Fratello, former Detroit Piston coach Chuck Daly and New Jersey assistant Tom Newell.

Fitch, who had one year remaining on a contract that will pay him about $400,000, will remain as a consultant.

“It was my decision,” Fitch said in a statement. “We have helped build an exciting team which has captured the imagination of the fans and has the potential for greatness.”

Although the team reached the playoffs for the first time since 1986, the players did not respond to Fitch’s old-school coaching style.

Derrick Coleman and Chris Morris refused to re-enter games late in the season with a playoff berth in the balance, and teammates said Drazen Petrovic did the same thing when the Cavaliers eliminated the Nets in the fourth game of their playoff series.

Fitch also had difficulty with backup guard Tate George and was reluctant to use guard Kenny Anderson after the No. 1 draft choice and second pick overall did not sign until just before the regular season started.

“It was a foregone conclusion,” said Bernie Mann, Net minority owner. “Bill is a great guy, a nice guy, a decent man. But how can you work in a place where you don’t get along with the workers?

“Bill is from the old school. But 1992 is a lot different from 1982. Now a coach has to be mother, father and psychiatrist.”

Willis Reed, the Nets’ vice president of basketball operations, said Fitch was not forced to resign.

“This decision was made by Bill,” Reed said. “The players don’t run our organization and never will.”

Fitch’s status has been in doubt since December, when reports surfaced that Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State coach, would replace him after New Jersey started 7-18.