New Orleans Hornets Coach Monty Williams announced Monday during his basketball camp at the Alario Center that he will promote assistant coach Randy Ayers to fill the lead assistant position left by Mike Malone.

Ayers spent the past season as an assistant on Williams’ staff. He also served as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2003-04 season and has worked as an assistant for four teams.

“It’s an easy move for us because he’s been a head coach and a lead assistant,” said Williams, who was coached by Ayers in Philadelphia in 2002-03 when Ayers served on Coach Larry Brown’s staff. “But losing Mike is a tough blow for us because he meant so much to our program, teaching every day and his ability to communicate. You don’t just try to replace guys like that quickly.”