Shock fire Kloppenburg, staff after 2 seasons

The Tulsa Shock fired head coach Gary Kloppenburg and his assistants on Tuesday after two seasons with the struggling team.

TULSA, Okla. -- The Tulsa Shock fired coach Gary Kloppenburg and his assistants on Tuesday after two seasons with the struggling team.

Kloppenburg was hired in January 2012 and inherited a team that had gone 9-59 in its two years in Tulsa. During Kloppenburg's tenure, the team went 20-49.

Shock President Steve Swetoha says the team is searching for a new coach for the 2014 season.

The team's owner and manager partner, Sam Combs III, praised Kloppenburg, saying it was a difficult decision but ultimately came down to wins and losses. Kloppenburg came to the Shock from the Indiana Fever, where he served as an assistant coach for four seasons.