Nuggets Fire Head Coach Brian Shaw

DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Brian Shaw.

General Manager and Executive V.P. of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced the move on Tuesday morning and thanked Shaw in a prepared statement.

"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," Connelly said. "(Shaw) is a champion and a gentleman and I wish him nothing but the best for himself and his family moving forward."

In his one-and-a-half seasons as coach, Shaw had a record of 56-85 with the Denver Nuggets.

Melvin Hunt was named interim head coach of the Nuggets for the rest of the season.

Connelly said the Nuggets are not currently meeting the team's high expectations. The following comments were posted in a story on NBA.com:

Since we purchased the franchise in 2000 we have constantly strived to field a competitive team, culminating in 10 straight playoff appearances and a franchise record 57 wins in the 2012-13 regular season. Expectations have been raised and we want more.

This season our management staff has remained patient and supportive as decisions of this nature are never taken lightly. Patience is encouraged, as long as the organization continues to show progress toward a greater goal. However, competing for championships is our goal, and therefore we decided to make this decision now and look forward to conducting an extensive head coaching search upon the season's conclusion. This has been a trying season for all of us, and we appreciate Nuggets fans continued faith and patience as we build our proud organization back to the NBA's elite.