On Friday the Houston Rockets fired their head coach Jeff Van Gundy following another year of a first round NBA playoff elimination. Gundy had one nonguarenteed year left on his contract meaning that the Rockets had the option to keep him for the 08 season. This year the Rockets went 52-30, but it was heavily rumored that Van Gundy would be fired after their loss to the Utah Jazz in round 1 of the NBA playoffs. Van Gundy said he was hopeful to retain his job.

“I was hopeful all the way up to last night they would change their mind.”

Over Van Gundy four seasons with the Rockets he had a coaching record of 182-146. Repeatedly Van Gundy will return to his old job, analyzing the game on television. When the Houston Rockets signed Van Gundy he was working for ESPN.

Perhaps a new coach will help this Rockets team. Not that Van Gundy hasn’t done a good job, but losing in the first round of the playoffs three out of the four years while a coach is on the team can be demoralizing. The Rockets have repeatedly talked to former NBA player and Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelman. Adelman is widely regarded as a player’s coach, which could rub off nicely with all star Tracy McGrady. Either way, the Rockets will look to make a mark past the first round of the playoffs in the future.