Houston Rockets has decided to part ways with head coach Jeff Van Gundy on Friday, according to the Rockets acting general manager Daryl Morey.

The Rockets went 52-30 this season but lost to Utah Jazz in seven games in the first round playoffs and it was the third first round loss in four season under Van Gundy.

Van Gundy had one non-guaranteed year left on his contract, meaning that the Rockets held the option to retain him. A recent report says that the Rockets has held a talk to 60-year-old Rick Adelman, the former coach of Sacramento, Golden State and Portland.

Morey said that the two sides were unable to come to an agreement despite a prolonged negotiating period in which Van Gundy requested and was offered the opportunity to stay within the organization in a senior consultant capacity. The team will now continue forward with plans to hire a new head coach.

"First and foremost, we want to thank Jeff for his tireless efforts here with the team over the past four seasons," said Morey," Jeff built the team into a top defensive club and played a crucial part in helping mold this team into a playoff contender."

"Since the end of the post-season, we have had numerous conversations with Jeff about his interest in proceeding as the head coach. He asked for, and was granted, additional time to evaluate his situation with the agreement that we would begin looking into other candidates. During that process it became clear that Jeff did not want to continue in any capacity with the team other than as head coach," added Morey.

Van Gundy guided Houston to a 182-146 (.555) record. He also led the Rockets to the playoffs three times (2004, 2005, 2007). Overall, Van Gundy holds a career coaching record of 430-318 (.575), as well as a 44-44 (.500) mark in the postseason.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2007)