Clippers relieve Dunleavy of coaching duties

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-05 10:53

NEW YORK - Mike Dunleavy has been relieved of his head coaching duties by the Los Angeles Clippers to allow him to focus on personnel matters like trades and free agency, the team said on Thursday.

Kim Hughes, the Clippers' assistant coach, will assume the role of interim head coach for the rest of the season, the team said in a statement.

Dunleavy, the franchise's all-time leader in wins with 215, said the decision was reached mutually and that he expects to be active in the draft, trade and free agent fronts.

"We have discussed the possibility of my concentrating only on basketball operations. That option has always been available to me," said Dunleavy. "I've come to the conclusion that this is the ideal time for me to direct my efforts toward the many personnel opportunities that lie before us."

The Clippers are 21-28 and have lost six of their last eight games.