Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) -- The Memphis Grizzlies fired coach Mike Fratello after the team began the season 6-24, the worst record in the National Basketball Association.

Tony Barone Sr., the team's director of player personnel since 2000, was named interim head coach, General Manager Jerry West said in a news release.

Fratello, 59, compiled a 95-83 record since taking over for Hubie Brown on Dec. 2, 2004, leading the team to two postseason appearances. Memphis lost five straight games and 13 of 15 in December.

``We just felt it was time to make a change and move in a different direction based on our record and future goals,'' West said in a statement.

Fratello, the Grizzlies' winningest of seven coaches, has been a head coach during parts of 17 NBA seasons, amassing a 667-548 regular-season record for the Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.

``Unfortunately, this season has been one of disarray starting this past summer,'' Fratello said in a statement. ``I am sorry I have not been able to find a way up to this point to turn this around, and I understand why a change needs to be made.''

Barone, who has never been an NBA head coach, had a 178-202 record as coach at Creighton and Texas A&M from 1985-98. He was also an assistant coach under Brown with the Grizzlies from 2002-04.

The Grizzlies, who moved from Vancouver in July 2001, have never won a playoff game, losing 4-0 in first-round matchups with San Antonio in 2004, Phoenix in 2005 and Dallas last season.

Memphis hosts Toronto in its next game on Dec. 30.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mason Levinson in New York at mlevinson@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 28, 2006 23:55 EST