The Sacramento Kings fired Eric Musselman on Friday after only one season coaching the National Basketball Associations team.

Musselman, formerly head coach of the Golden State Warriors and assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies, was sacked with a bad result of 33-49 in regular season and the failure to reach the playoffs.

"I want to thank Eric for his energy and effort," Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said in a statement.

"There is no particular joy in making this decision. However, I feel it is in the best interest of everyone going forward," he said.

Musselman, who had two years remaining on his contract with the Kings, previously in 2003 finished runner-up for the NBA coach of the year honors after leading the Warriors to a 17-game improvement.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2007)