The Philadelphia 76ers, who have lost eight of their last 10 en route to a 21-31 first-half record, fired coach Randy Ayers on Tuesday, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reports.
Assistant coach Chris Ford will take over as 76ers coach, Smith has learned. Ford has previously been the head coach for the Celtics, Bucks and Clippers.
Ayers was promoted from assistant in June to replace Larry Brown, who left the team after six seasons to become coach of the Detroit Pistons.