In a move which came as a suprise to no one, Boston GM Danny Ainge let interim coach John Carroll know that he will not be in charge of the Celtics next season.

``A change is needed,'' said Ainge, who felt that younger players like Marcus Banks and Chris Mihm weren't given enough playing time to develop by O'Brien and Carroll. ``I've felt that way for a while, but I came to the conclusion this morning. What I'm looking for is just different.

``John did a great job. One of his strengths is communication, and that's a lost art in the coaching business today. John believes that he can do the job, but after seeing it from my perspective, I think we both agreed it's best to go in another direction.''

Carroll's curriculum vitae is certainly much improved from his tenture with the Celtics, proving that he can lead a team in distress to the Playoffs.  Despite this fact Carroll knew that his chances of remaining with the Celtics were slim.

``I didn't know if I was going to be the head coach with the Celtics, but I do know I should be a head coach in the NBA somewhere,'' he said. ``My greatest gift was in bringing a certain calmness to a franchise that was in a fractured situation.''

Ainge also told assistant coaches Frank Vogel, Lester Conner, Joe Gallagher and Paul Cormier that they now are free to talk with other teams. According to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald ex-Celtic and new Sixer coach Jim O'Brien reportedly called Ainge yesterday asking for permission to talk to the members of his old staff.

Murphy writes that Ainge likely will choose a candidate from a wide-ranging list that includes NBA veteran coaches Paul Westphal, Doc Rivers and Terry Stotts, assistants Lionel Hollins and Dwane Casey, and a pair of intriguing novices - Avery Johnson and Jeff Hornacek.

``Ideally, I want a coach who can coach and I don't have to worry about,'' Ainge said. ``I want to be like Jerry West and Larry Bird, out there scouting while their coaches take care of the team. You want to pat your coach on the back and let him do his job.''