The day after the firing of Hornets coach Paul Silas, the team's front office spent the day on the phone, lining up interviews with potential candidates.

"I talked to a couple of coaches and agents today, and we're trying to set up meetings for interviews," Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bob Bass said Monday. "We're getting our search started."

Bass would not disclose the names on his wish list, or which coaches were contacted Monday. But potential candidates include former assistant Brian Hill, whose contract, along with those of assistants Bob Donewald Jr. and Stephen Silas, was not renewed; and a host of former NBA head coaches -- Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Fratello, Mike Dunleavy, Ron Rothstein and Tim Floyd, who coached at UNO. None could be reached for comment Monday.