Wed Mar 19 15:50:32 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Harris out as Bucks GM

---

Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Larry Harris has been relieved of his duties as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks, the club announced Wednesday.

Harris' contract was set to expire on June 30, and he was not expected to be retained. Harris asked for an early decision on whether the team would renew his deal, and the Bucks told him that they would not be offering him a contract extension.

Milwaukee is 23-44, mired in last place in the Central Division, and is headed to its second straight season without a playoff appearance.

"Larry Harris has served the Milwaukee Bucks since 1990 with complete dedication and loyalty," said Bucks president Senator Herb Kohl. "The commitment and effort he provided the organization has resulted in many good outcomes. I believe at this time it is in the best interest of the Bucks to proceed in another direction. Larry's professional approach has been valued and appreciated by our organization and we wish him the best in future endeavors."

The son of former Bucks head coach Del Harris, Larry came to the organization as a scout/video coordinator when his father was the head coach in 1987. He started working full-time for the club in 1990, and served as director of scouting, then director of player personnel before being named assistant general manager in 2001.

He took over as GM in 2003, and the club made the playoffs twice under his leadership, but never finished with a winning record, or won a playoff series. The Bucks finished 41-41 in the 2003-04 season, which ended with a loss in the first round of the playoffs, and stumbled to 30-52 the next season.

A 40-42 campaign in 2005-06 earned the Bucks a playoff spot, and another early exit, and Milwaukee finished 28-54 last season.