J. B. Bickerstaff, head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, just announced his departure due to…

The Cavaliers fired head coach John Beilein before he could complete a season. The Cleveland team announced on Wednesday that the longtime collegiate coach is stepping down as head coach.

Tuesday night saw the initial reports of the transfer. J.B. Bickerstaff, the associate head coach, will be promoted to head coach.

“After considerable thought, I have determined that it is right that I step aside and resign from my role as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and assist the organization in a new manner. Over the previous nine months, I have given my all to this organization,” Beilein said in a statement. “I owe a debt of gratitude to Koby Altman, Dan Gilbert, and the Cavaliers organization as a whole for this chance.”

“I want to be clear that I made this decision to step down, and I sincerely appreciate the front office’s understanding and support during this time. It was a very difficult decision for me. I find losing really difficult, and this year has affected me more than I had anticipated. I started to worry about the long-term effects this toll would have on my family’s health and well-being. I didn’t know if I would be playing at my best for the rest of the season and going beyond. It would be unfair to the coaches, support staff, and players.

Beilein will have a “new function inside the organization,” according to the team.

In May 2019, Beilein inked a five-year contract with the Cavaliers. He was head coach at Michigan for 12 years before coming to the Cavaliers. He left with a 278–150 record and nine trips to the NCAA tournament. In the past, he has served as a coach at Nazareth College, Canisius, West Virginia, Richmond, and Division II Le Moyne.

When Beilein was hired in Cleveland, he stated, “I felt this was the right fit for me because of the position the team is in to create and progress.” We will all work hard and be dedicated to building this team and fostering a culture of success based on strong core principles. Day by day, we will see progress. I am incredibly excited to be residing in Cleveland for many years to come because it is a fantastic city with incredible supporters.

However, Beilein, 67, has apparently found it difficult to adjust to life in the NBA. During a film session, the Cavaliers coach accidentally referred to his players as “a bunch of thugs,” which garnered media attention in January. He has been negatively impacted by his son Patrick Beilein’s resignation from Niagara in October, according to The Athletic.

When the players return from the All-Star break on Wednesday in the late afternoon, Beilein is reportedly planning to bid them farewell.

With a 14–40 record, the Cavaliers are the bottom team in the Eastern Conference.

Bickerstaff is now taking over a team mid-season for the third time as a result of Beilein’s resignation. Prior to that, he was the head coach of the Grizzlies following David Fizdale’s dismissal and the Rockets’ interim coach following Kevin McHale’s termination in 2015.

Over the course of three seasons, Bickerstaff’s career head coaching record is 85–131. Last summer, he was brought on as Beilein’s principal assistant.