The Axe Falls Early: Amidst Rumors Of A Monday Dismissal, Nets, Frank Part Ways Sunday

Acoording to ESPN’s Mark Stein, the Nets have dismissed their head coach Lawrence Frank faster than anyone expected. With speculation mounting, it seems the media forced New Jersey’s hand, here—the Nets and President Rod Thorn had reportedly hoped to wait to make a move until after New Jersey returned from their West Coast road trip.

But again, after rumors concerning Frank’s imminent dismissal became more and more concrete in recent days—cresting with Sunday morning’s report from Yahoo! Sports—the Nets apparently felt they had to make a move immediately. So tonight, when the Nets attempt to avoid tying the Heat and Clippers for the worst start in history, they’ll do so without their head coach.

Taking over on an interim basis—like, really interim, as he’ll likely only coach tonight—is Nets Tom Barrise, while Stein reports New Jersey assistant Jon Loyer as the one of the leading candidates to take over full time for the rest of the season. Yahoo had previously mentioned Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe as the likely interim candidate, so Loyer taking over would be a modest surprise. Time will tell…

At this point, though, we know that Frank is officially out, and Barrise will coach tonight. More to come as news emerges.