John Beilein is walking away from the Cavaliers after 54 games and associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will be promoted to full-time head coach, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday night.
Citing league sources, Wojnarowski reported that Beilein is expected to say goodbye to players and staff Wednesday afternoon, when all return from the All-Star break, and Bickerstaff will direct his first practice Wednesday evening.
The Cavs (14-40) will play their first game under Bickerstaff Friday at Washington.
Beilein signed a contract in May for four years with a one-year team option that carried a salary worth $4 million to $4.5 million annually, The Athletic's Shams Charania and Jason Lloyd reported. According to Wojnarowski, Beilein and the Cavs negotiated a financial settlement that will pay him a portion of the remaining money on his contract for this season.
Beilein, 67, spent 41 years in the college ranks, the last 12 at Michigan, before jumping to the NBA this season to help direct the Cavs' rebuild.
Bickerstaff, 40, has coached the Grizzlies and Rockets, first taking over in an interim capacity with both, and compiled an 85-131 career record. He will be the Cavs' sixth coach in the past seven seasons.
Reports surfaced late Sunday night during the NBA All-Star Game that Beilein had discussed his future with the Cavs' front office. The Cavs hold the second-worst record in the league and the worst mark in the Eastern Conference.
Beilein failed to connect with his players virtually from the start, with The Athletic reporting in December that players were tuning him out and didn't like his collegiate style.
Early in the season he lamented a rash of injuries, including those suffered by rookies Darius Garland and Dylan Windler, who eventually underwent surgery. Late in the season Beilein became increasingly demoralized by a 12-game home losing streak and a 4-17 record in the new year, when progress had been expected.
His son Patrick's resignation for personal reasons before he coached a game at Niagara University in late October also reportedly played a part in Beilein's struggles.
