DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Chicago Bulls fired interim coach Jim Boylan today, likely the first of many changes after a disappointing season.

Boylan was let go after a morning meeting with general manager John Paxson, according to a person close to the situation who requested anonymity because the official announcement had not yet been made.

Boylan's firing was the first move of what figures to be a busy offseason for a team that finished 11th in the Eastern Conference just one season after reaching the second round of the playoffs.

He left the Bulls' practice facility without commenting.

The Bulls won 49 games and a playoff series last season, but took a big step backward in 2007-'08, finishing 33-49.

They were 24-32 under Boylan, who was promoted from assistant to his first NBA head coaching job after Chicago fired Scott Skiles in December.

"I was brought in here in the middle of the season," Boylan said a day before the Bulls ended his tenure. "It's kind of a tough situation. A lot of things happened."

Still, Boylan described his experience as "fun."

"I had a lot of fun doing it," he said. "It was full of all kinds of experiences — some good, some not so good. Sitting in the head coach's seat was comfortable and enjoyable. I loved the challenge."