Pistons' Dwane Casey out as coach, plans to move to front office

Dwane Casey posted a record of 128-262 over five seasons with Detroit.

The Detroit Pistons announced that Dwane Casey will transition into a new role in the team’s front office and that a search process for a new coach, led by Pistons General Manager Troy Weaver, will begin immediately.

“Dwane Casey has done everything we asked of him since the beginning of our partnership, both as a coach and a tremendous mentor and person,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement Monday. “Our organization and the young men he has been leading are very fortunate to have had his guidance and support. We are grateful for his steady hand as head coach during these important development years, and we are excited to have his wisdom and experience in the front office as we enter the next phase.”

Tom Gores on Dwane Casey joining the #Pistons' front office. pic.twitter.com/0bhKWC2OpC

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 10, 2023

Casey said he’s looking forward to the next challenge.

“I’m excited for what we’ve done, the culture and foundation that we’ve built,” said Dwane Casey. “It’s been a good 44 years. Tom (Gores) has given me the opportunity to move into the front office and I’m excited about it, to go to the next phase of my life.”

“I’m excited to go to the next phase of my life. Time to spend more time with my family. This team is on the right track. They probably need to hear a new voice. This is my decision.”

Casey will join Detroit's front office as the Pistons start a head coaching search. Bucks assistant Charles Lee and former Celtics coach Ime Udoka are expected to be among candidates for the Pistons job, sources say. https://t.co/sPmxLRXLrY

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2023

Casey was named head coach on June 11, 2018 and tallied a regular-season record of 121-263 (.315) in five seasons with the Pistons. During the 2018-19 season he posted a 41-41 (.500) record and led the club to its first postseason appearance since the 2015-16 season, setting a team record for most 3-pointers in franchise history (993). Detroit also averaged 107.0 points per game which were the most by a Pistons team since 1987-88.

Earlier this season, Pistons guard Jaden Ivey and center Jalen Duren became the first Pistons rookies in franchise history to be named to the NBA Rising Stars Game in the same season. The Pistons recorded a 17-65 (.207) record this past season and Casey has a career NBA coaching record of 494-570 (.464), including six postseason appearances.