The Milwaukee Bucks are about to find out if they can hire a coach who can do what Larry Krystkowiak was unable to in his first full season as a head coach in the NBA.

The Bucks announced Thursday afternoon they had fired Krystkowiak, one day after their season ended. The Bucks were touted as a potential playoff contender going into the season. Instead, they went 26-56 and were one of the league's worst defensive teams.

The announcement came from new Bucks general manager John Hammond, hired last week to see if he can reverse the sinking fortunes of a franchise that has gone two straight years without making the playoffs.

"The bottom line on this decision is that this is a results-driven league," Hammond said. "Sometimes it comes down to wins and losses. Once again, the man that Larry was and the effort he put forth had little to do with the decision."

Finding a new coach may have been further complicated Thursday when the Chicago Bulls fired interim coach Jim Boylan.

Both teams are believed to have a strong interest in Rick Carlisle, the former Indiana and Detroit coach who now works as an analyst for ESPN. Carlisle, whose disciplined, defensive style eventually wore thin with the Pacers and Pistons, worked with Hammond while coaching the Pistons.

Another candidate mentioned often in relation to the Bucks job is Scott Skiles, the former Bulls coach who was fired during the season and replaced by Boylan. Skiles began his playing career with the Bucks.

Hammond praised Krystkowiak's hard work and character. Hammond, who left his job as one of the Pistons' top basketball executives to take over in Milwaukee, made it clear the Bucks have to get tougher.

"The Pistons, what are they known for right now? They're known for winning," Hammond said. "But you know what? It kind of started out as, 'Let's put a tough, competitive team out there.' ''

Hammond expects to move quickly.

"There's no reason not to react quickly," he said. "That doesn't mean there's a timetable, but we're going to react as quickly as possible."

Krystkowiak said Wednesday his team had some real issues.

"It's more about a team concept instead of a bunch of talent," he said. "I think we have a lot of guys looking to score, and we've had a heck of a time with chemistry. I think that probably needs to be looked at a little bit more, the aggressive, physical, defensive-minded blend to go with some of the guys we have."

Krystkowiak, a former Bucks player, joined the Bucks coaching staff prior to last season as an assistant to Terry Stotts, who was fired in March 2007 and replaced by Krystkowiak.

"It's just a situation that didn't work out," guard Michael Redd said. "I'm sure he tried his best, no doubt about it. We tried our best. It just didn't work out."

Center Andrew Bogut suggested a house-cleaning might be in order.

"I think the group of guys we have just need to work hard and be committed to the team and put team before 'I' and we'll be all right," he said. "But if we come in looking for individual accolades again, and guys trying to be All-Stars and so on, it's not going to work out."

Material from The Associated Press used in this report.