File photo shows New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott talking to the officials late in the second half in an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in New Orleans. (BILL HABER/AP)

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, November 12, 2009 (AFP) - The New Orleans Hornets sacked coach Byron Scott Thursday, tabbing general manager Jeff Bower to take over as coach of the NBA team.

Hornets owner George Shinn said in a statement the move gives the club the best chance "to reach our goals this season."

"I told Jeff, 'The genie is out of the bottle,'" Hornets chief operating officer Hugh Weber said. "Nobody can say he doesn't have the right players. ... Jeff has hand-selected this team, and we like the idea that now he'll be held accountable for the results.

"Our expectations are high. Our sense of urgency is high. Our patience is low and we hope that translates into results quickly."

The Hornets also announced that former head coach Tim Floyd, who Scott replaced, will be one of Bower's key assistants.

New Orleans lost 124-104 at Phoenix on Wednesday, falling to 3-6.

Scott had taken over as coach after the 2003-04 season, becoming the team's third coach in as many seasons.

He was named NBA coach of the year in 2008, after a guiding the Hornets to a 56-win season in 2007-08.

Young Hornets star Chris Paul, who hasn't played for any NBA coach but Scott, wasn't available after players gathered at the club's suburban training center.

Paul and Scott are close, with Paul once referring to the coach as a father figure.

"I understand personal relationships," Bower said. "Chris, that's one of his strengths, his ability to connect. And obviously it's a very strong personal relationship (with Scott) and that should remain in place. This is a professional decision and a professional relationship that we have here and I have a lot of confidence in what he wants. He wants to win. ... None of us are pleased from a personal standpoint to ever have a day like today."