SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Doc Rivers was fired as coach of the Orlando Magic late Monday night after the team got off to the worst start in its 15-year history.

Rivers told The Associated Press early Tuesday that Magic general manager John Gabriel told him of the decision in a meeting at the team hotel after Orlando lost to Utah 90-88 on Monday night.

The Magic, an NBA-worst 1-10 this season, have lost 10 consecutive games.

``It is part of sports,'' Rivers said. ``I thought I had a good run here. Things just didn't work out in the end. Maybe the players need to hear another a voice.''

The Magic reached the playoffs in the last three of Rivers' four seasons in Orlando, but each ended in a first-round exit. Combined with this season's dismal start, Rivers knew a change was likely.

``I have no ax to grind,'' Rivers said. ``I thought the management and team were both great. I couldn't ask for anything more.''

No successor was immediately announced, although the Orlando Sentinel reported on its Web site that assistant coach Johnny Davis would be the team's interim coach. Both Davis and fellow assistant Dave Wohl have previous experience as NBA head coaches. Davis coached Philadelphia during the 1996-97 season, and Wohl coached New Jersey for two seasons in the mid-1980s.

Rivers had been the longest-tenured coach working in the Eastern Conference, entering his fifth season with the Magic. At 42, Rivers plans to coach again.

``I'll go home, walk in the house and reintroduce myself to my family,'' Rivers said. ``I'll see what I want to do. There'll be some options.''

Rivers' stay in Orlando began with promise. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in his rookie campaign of 1999-2000, becoming the first coach in league history to win the award without leading his team to the playoffs.

Rivers, who played 13 seasons for the Hawks, Clippers, Knicks and Spurs before retiring in 1996 to become a television analyst for Turner Sports, was 171-168 in his four-plus seasons with Orlando and ranks second on the franchise's career victories list.

``I love coaching. I enjoy coaching,'' Rivers said. ``I consider it in my blood, but I think it might be time for a break.''

Yet despite having the reigning NBA scoring champion in Tracy McGrady, the Magic _ the NBA's third-youngest team _ have struggled this season. Orlando's offense entered play Monday as the 22nd-lowest scoring and 25th-worst shooting unit in the league, and averaged only 88.3 points per game.