Pistons fire head coach 1 year after giving him richest deal in NBA history

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

A little more than one year ago, the Detroit Pistons made Monty Williams the richest head coach in NBA history, inking him to a six-year deal worth $78.5 million. Today, they are looking for someone else to take over.

After going an NBA-worst 14-68, which included a record 28-game losing streak, the Pistons fired Williams on Wednesday.

Head coaching contracts are guaranteed, which means Williams is still owed $65 million over the next five seasons.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams coaches against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York on Feb. 26. (Brad Penner-USA Today Sports)

"Decisions like these are difficult to make, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "Coaching has many dynamic challenges that emerge during a season and Monty always handled those with grace. However, after reviewing our performance carefully and assessing our current position as an organization, we will chart a new course moving forward."

"We are unwavering in our commitment to bring a championship-caliber team to Detroit," Gores continued. "We will be diligent and swift in our search for a new head coach to lead our exciting young core of players and will continue our vision towards building a best-in-class front office that will help us achieve sustainable success."

It was the second season in a row the Pistons owned the association's worst record; they went 17-65 last year. To make matters worse, the Draft Lottery did not work out in their favor this year or last. Detroit got the fifth selection in 2023, missing