MacLeod Fired as Mavericks Coach

DALLAS —  Dallas Mavericks Coach John MacLeod confirmed today that he has been removed as head coach of the team.

“I was told at noon today that I would be relieved of my duties as coach of the Mavericks,” MacLeod said.

He said there “were a multitude of reasons, and the team had a multitude of problems, and I am relieved of my job.”

“They felt the change was needed, so I’m out.”

Assistant Coach Richie Adubato has been named interim coach, radio station KLIF reported.

The Mavericks were playing at home tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. Going into the game, Dallas was 5-6, including a 47-point loss last Saturday to Seattle.

The team also has been stung by the loss of forward Roy Tarpley, who was indefinitely suspended following his arrest on charges of driving while intoxicated. Tarpley had been suspended before because of drug problems.

“There are things in the coaching ranks that you don’t have any control over. You don’t have any control over injuries and you don’t have control over drug problems,” McLeod said.

The loss to Seattle was the team’s worst ever in Reunion Arena and their second worst in franchise history.

MacLeod, owner Donald Carter, General Manager Norm Sonju, and Rick Sund, vice president of basketball operations, met this morning to discuss the team’s poor start.

MacLeod joined the Mavericks on June 4, 1987, succeeding Dick Motta, who retired May 20, 1987.

In the 1988 playoffs, MacLeod took the Mavs to the seventh game of the Western Conference finals against the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Before this season, MacLeod’s two-year record with the Mavericks was 91-73.