Triano is Toast

In what would have to be considered a surprise the Toronto Raptors have announced that Jay Triano is out as head coach of the Raptors. Bryan Colangelo who recently was brought back as President/G.M seemed like he was pretty committed to keeping his head coach in place. However now just over a month later this announcement comes with option on his contract needing to be decided on by June 15th. Triano will remain with the organization as a special assistant to Colangelo. This is unexpected and shocking news to me. But what a number of Raptor fans have wanted has in fact happened as Triano is out. I have always felt this was the direction the organization should go but am still stunned they actually have. Here is quotes from both Colangelo and the now former Raptor Head Coach Jay Triano.

Bryan Colangelo on the Triano Firing:

“I have great respect for Jay Triano both as a person and as a basketball mind,” said Colangelo. Jay deserves tremendous credit for developing our young players this past season and our most recent win-loss record does not appropriately reflect his many positive contributions to this organization.This was a difficult decision to make, but after almost three full seasons of observation and evaluation I believe that bringing in a new voice as head coach will accelerate the progress we are looking to make in the coming years. I am very pleased that Jay has agreed to stay on and help see through the plan that we have designed and initiated together.”

Triano on his dismissal:

“I am grateful to the organization for the opportunity to be a head coach in the NBA," said Triano. “I am proud of the work that I and the coaching staff have done with our young players and feel confident we have laid the foundation for a team that will continue to improve. I look forward in assisting Bryan to deliver a championship team to Toronto.”

Triano was 87 -142 as head coach of the Toronto Raptors and Bryan Colangelo is expected to address the media(Via Conference Call) at 6:15pm Toronto Time.