Oklahoma City Thunder Fire Coach Scott Brooks

After missing the playoffs in the 2014-15 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have decided to part ways with coach Scott Brooks after seven seasons.

It has been a rough year for Brooks. After starting the season without Kevin Durant, he lost the reigning MVP to a lingering foot injury. In fact, Brooks’ team was plagued by injuries, resulting in players shuffling in and out of starting roles. Durant, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka each missed at least ten games this season.

Still, the team made one last run, on the back of scoring champion Russell Westbrook, for the eighth seed, but ended up missing the playoffs on the last day. It was the first time the team has missed the postseason since 2008-09.

Currently, Brooks sits with a .620 winning percentage and an overall record of 338-207. But his biggest problem was the team’s trouble in the postseason. During his tenure, the team was 39-34 and only made it to the finals once, where the Miami Heat beat them in five games.

“This is an extremely difficult decision on many levels. Scott helped establish the identity of the Thunder and has earned his rightful place in the history of our organization through his seven years as a valued leader and team member,” Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti stated in a press release. “As we all know, this past year we had unique and challenging circumstances and as I have conveyed, not many people could have accomplished what Scott and this team were able to. Therefore, it is very important to state that this decision is not a reflection of this past season, but rather an assessment of what we feel is necessary at this point in time in order to continually evolve, progress and sustain.”

But do not expect him to be sitting on the open market for too long, as he is probably a prime candidate for any vacated head coach position. As for the Thunder coaching job, Billy Donovan and Kevin Ollie are prime candidates, according to ESPN. But do not be surprised if Presti goes outside the team for the hire.