Hawks, Woodson Part Ways

NBA.com has news of one of the least surprising coach firings of all time. Happy trails, Woody: “The Hawks parted ways with Mike Woodson Friday morning, ending his coaching tenure with the franchise after six seasons. Woodson was informed in a Friday morning meeting with Hawks’ management that that he would not be offered a new contract after leading the Hawks to three straight playoff appearances in his final three seasons. The team is expected to make an official announcement this afternoon. Woodson’s contract expired Monday, forcing the Hawks to make a quick decision. Woodson is now free to explore his options with a half dozen coaching vacancies around the league, while the Hawks embark on a search of their own for his replacement. Woodson led the Hawks to 37, 47 and 53 wins in his final three seasons and back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they were swept both times. The Hawks won just 13 games in his first season, 2004-05, but improved their record in each of his five seasons after that. He finished with a 206-286 record (.419). Woodson’s 11-18 postseason record, though, is what ultimately cost him his job with the Hawks. He guided the Hawks to their first playoff appearance in more than a decade three seasons ago, when the Hawks pushed the eventual champion Boston Celtics to seven games in a first-round series.”