The Bucks fired Stotts today after less than two full seasons with the team. His replacement is assistant Larry Krystkowiak, who agreed to a multiyear deal and will be introduced at a news conference tomorrow.

Krystkowiak's first game as an NBA head coach comes against San Antonio on Thursday night.

"We're excited to move ahead with Larry as our new head coach," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said.

Milwaukee is last in the Central Division at 23-41 and among the NBA's worst defensive teams.

"Terry has done the best he could in a difficult situation, especially with all of our injuries," Harris said. "I felt it was in the best interest of our organization to make the decision now and move forward, rather than wait until the end of the regular season."

Krystkowiak, 42, was originally hired by the Bucks in June 2006 as an assistant to Stotts after coaching at his alma mater, the University of Montana — where he guided the team to two straight NCAA tournament appearances, including a first-round upset over Nevada in 2006. He also coached in the CBA.

His promotion comes at a time when he was being mentioned as a candidate for the open coaching job at the University of Utah.

Krystkowiak thanked Stotts for giving him the opportunity to come to Milwaukee.

"Becoming an NBA head coach was my number one goal when I went into coaching and I welcome the challenges that lie ahead of me," said Krystkowiak, who played in nine seasons in the NBA, including four in Milwaukee. "This team has a great deal of potential and I'm eager to more forward."

Stotts' firing came as a surprise to Bucks players. He ran practice on Wednesday, and star Michael Redd left the team's practice facility without knowing his coach was being fired.

Redd said a member of the team's management called him later in the day.

"I'm obviously saddened by the fact that he's not going to be here anymore," Redd said. "I hate to see anyone lose their job. Terry did the best he could with what he had for our team. It just didn't work out."

At least one player apparently wasn't told at all.

"This is the first I heard about it," said Lynn Greer, a free agent acquired in the offseason. "We had practice, and Terry ran practice. I had a great time playing under him. He knew his Xs and Os. He had a tough time with the injuries, but I haven't got a bad thing to say about him."

The Bucks were racked by injuries this season, and at one point in mid-January were playing without four players who were projected as starters going into the season.

Stotts hoped the Bucks would rebound when Redd returned on Feb. 20 after missing 20 games with a knee injury. Instead, their season may have hit their low point on Monday night.

In a 15-point home loss to Toronto, Bucks center Andrew Bogut made an obscene gesture toward the fans as he left the court after being ejected for committing a flagrant foul against Toronto's Chris Bosh in the final minute.

The league fined Bogut, the top pick in the 2005 draft, $25,000 earlier Wednesday.

"I want to thank Senator Kohl and Larry Harris for giving me the opportunity to coach in Milwaukee," Stotts said in a statement. "I understand this is a part of the business and I wish the Bucks organization well in the future."

Stotts was hired as the team's ninth coach in June 2005 after Terry Porter was let go. Stotts was a favorite of team owner Herb Kohl. The U.S. senator got to know Stotts, who was about to complete his 14th year in the league, while he was an assistant under then-Bucks coach George Karl.

Stotts compiled a 63-83 record in less than two seasons. Milwaukee squeaked into the playoffs last year despite having four new starters from the previous season — the first time in NBA history a team with such extensive starting lineup changes had made the playoffs.

Milwaukee made another big move this offseason, trading point guard T.J. Ford to Toronto for forward Charlie Villanueva.

But Villanueva has missed significant time because of injuries, along with Redd — who hurt a tendon in his left knee on a meaningless dunk at the end of a loss to Cleveland on Jan. 5 — and forward Bobby Simmons, who is out for the year with foot and ankle injuries.

Mo Williams also missed time with a shoulder injury.

Milwaukee went 3-17 without Redd, its leading scorer.