Krystkowiak selected to coach Bucks

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Bucks management was grading Terry Stotts on a curve because he had to handle so many key injuries this season. That still wasn’t enough for him to keep his job.

The Bucks fired Stotts on Wednesday 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 today.

“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.

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.