Nuggets fire Brian Shaw, name Melvin Hunt interim coach

The Denver Nuggets have relieved Brian Shaw of his head coaching duties, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced Tuesday. Additionally, Melvin Hunt has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

“I want to sincerely thank Brian for his time with our organization,” said Connelly. “You won’t find a better guy than Brian and he is one of the brightest basketball minds I’ve ever been around. Unfortunately things didn’t go as we hoped, but we know with his basketball acumen that he has a very bright future ahead of him.”

Shaw was hired as head coach of the Nuggets on June 25, 2013 and in one-plus season he compiled a record of 56-85 (.397). This season, the team regained its health but has failed to live up to expectations when the season opened, sporting a 20-39 record.

Hunt is in his fifth season as an assistant coach with the Nuggets. He came to Denver after spending five years as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-2010).