By: Tyler Ward
Reports have surfaced that the Detroit Pistons will not retain head coach John Kuester for the 2011-12 season. It hasn't been confirmed yet, but speculation is that Kuester is practically done.
Kuester was hired by the Pistons prior to the 2009-10 season and posted a 57-107 record in his two years with the team.
In his two seasons with Detroit, the Pistons missed out on the playoffs both seasons, their longest drought since they missed three straight from 1993-95.
Kuester was hired by the Pistons after serving two years for the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant. He had been part of the Pistons before, as he was an assistant to Larry Brown on the Pistons' 2004 championship run.
With the gig certainly up for grabs, the Pistons will now look into hiring their 28th coach in franchise history.
One name that has been continually brought up is that of former Atlanta Hawks head coach and former Pistons assistant, Mike Woodson.
Woodson was also part of the Pistons in their championship campaign and was hired by the Hawks in the summer of 2004. Woodson was the leading man for the Hawks before his dismissal after the 2009-10 season.
The Pistons, under a new regime, are very close to being sold to businessman Tom Gores.
The team is trying to return to championship form after a few years of mediocrity. With a young corps of Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, and Rodney Stuckey, along with veterans Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, the Pistons are hoping to return to contention under a new head coach and new owner.
However, it starts now and will not be with John Kuester.
