- The New Orleans Pelicans fired head coach Monty Williams on Tuesday, parting company with a man who led the team to the playoffs twice in five seasons. Williams, 43, was appointed as Pelicans head coach in June 2010 and compiled an overall record of 173-221 with the National Basketball Association team. Under his guidance, New Orleans finished eighth in the 15-team Western Conference this season with a 45-37 record before being swept 4-0 by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. "Making a decision like this is never easy and is never done hastily, especially when you are dealing with a person of Monty Williams' character," Pelicans executive vice president Mickey Loomis said in a statement.