LOS ANGELES -- Vinny Del Negro is out as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers after a season in which the team won its first division title but lost in the first round of the playoffs. The team said Tuesday he wont be offered a contract when his current one expires at the end of June. He is just the second coach to leave the team with a winning record, following Larry Brown in 1993. "This was a difficult decision, but we feel this is the best decision for our franchise moving forward," said Gary Sacks, vice-president of basketball operations. Del Negro had a 128-102 regular-season record in three years with the team. The Clippers made the playoffs the last two seasons, including last year when they advanced to the second round for only the second time since the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1984. This season, the team won a franchise-record 56 games, including a 17-game winning streak. And with All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the Clippers were one of the NBAs most exciting attractions, with acrobatic dunks and dazzling playmaking. But the post-season was quick and disappointing -- an exit in six games to Memphis despite a 2-0 lead. "We would like to thank Vinny for everything he did during his three years with the organization," Sacks said. "Vinny helped this team win a Pacific Division title and we greatly appreciate all that he and his staff helped us accomplish." The search for a new coach will begin immediately. Del Negro had the highest winning percentage (.557) for a coach in the clubs beleaguered history. He is the only coach to have consecutive winning seasons since the Buffalo Braves moved to California and became the Clippers in 1978. The Clippers had just six winning seasons in their first 41 years. Now theyve put together consecutive winning records and playoff appearances for the first time in 20 years. "Weve set every franchise record," Del Negro said two weeks ago. "So Im proud of a lot of things we did." Much of the credit for the dramatic turnaround went to Paul and Griffin. Del Negro was criticized at times this season for his rotations, and there was speculation about whether he would return. Paul and Griffin have been supportive of their coach, and two weeks ago Sacks acknowledged that the players opinions would be part of the decision on Del Negro. "I think Vinny did a great job of managing the egos and taking this team to a new level," veteran Matt Barnes said after his exit interview at the end of the season. Del Negro had said he enjoyed working with Paul and Griffin. "Theyre the nucleus of the team, obviously, that you want to keep intact and move forward with," he said. Sacks made it clear that the teams top priority is to re-sign Paul, who becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. He could receive a five-year, $108 million deal. Del Negro came to the Clippers from the Chicago Bulls, where the 46-year-old coach went 82-82 in two seasons including back-to-back playoff appearances before being fired. Before that, Del Negro had front-office roles with Phoenix from 2006-08. He previously worked as a broadcaster for the Suns and San Antonio. He played in the NBA for 12 years. Brett Favre Womens Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Kendall Sheffield Jersey . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcons-Takkarist-Mckinley-Jersey/ . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. Kendall Sheffield Falcons Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Calvin Ridley Womens Jersey . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. HOUSTON -- Josh Hamilton is starting to break out of his season-long slump, and it has helped the Los Angeles Angels string together some wins. Hamilton doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and scored on shortstop Jake Elmores overthrow, helping the Angels beat the Houston Astros 3-1 Sunday and extend their winning streak to six. C.J. Wilson won his fourth straight start and Mark Trumbo hit his 18th homer for the Angels, who swept three-game series at Detroit and Houston for their first undefeated trip of at least six games since 2002. "Theres no doubt that I think theres a comfort level that you can see starting to form," Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said. "We talked a while about it, but Josh is important to us and its good to see him swinging the bat better this trip." Hamilton, who left Texas to sign a $125 million, five-year contract during the off-season, is hitting just .223. But hes been better lately, with 11 RBIs in his last 16 games after driving in just 10 in his previous 50 games. He is batting .273 with nine hits and five RBIs in his last 10 games. Hamilton had 43 homers and 128 RBIs last season. Eighty-two games into this season he has just 10 homers and 29 RBIs. "Getting there," he said. "I feel a lot better, but even if I had been hitting for a month, I still wouldnt say I was there." He is starting to have a bit more fun though, something that was clear by the huge grin he had when he trotted home after the error on his double. "Its fun when you remember the game that you played your whole life and Little League," he said. "Nothings changed inside the lines, its still the same game ... so dont get caught up in struggles or anything like that, and just enjoy having the opportunity to be here and play." Scioscia is encouraged by the recent surge of the Angels, who are in third place and nine games back in the AL-West. "I think theres a feeling of confidence in the clubhouse and on the field, which is more important," he said. "Although I dont think were firing totally on all cylinders, were doing enough good things to get it done." Wilson (8-5) allowed an unearned run, three hits and three walks, and he struck out 10 for his third double-digit strikeout game this season. Ernesto Frieri pitched a one-hit ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances. Houston starter Lucas Harrell yielded a run and six hits with sseven strikeouts in seven innings.dddddddddddd He took a comebacker to the lower left leg on a single by Howie Kendrick starting the sixth and fell to the ground for a second before quickly popping back up. Harrell as checked by Houstons trainers before throwing a couple of warmup pitches and remaining in the game. "His stuff was probably as good as it had been all year," Houston manager Bo Porter said. "He battled, and even after taking the shot off the leg, he continued to pitch, which was good to see." Trumbos fourth-inning homer put the Angels ahead, but Houston tied the score in the sixth. Brandon Barnes singled leading off, stole second and took third on Jake Elmores bunt single. Jose Altuve hit a line drive to third baseman Alberto Callaspo, who tried to double up Elmore at first but bounced his throw for an error as Barnes scored. Howie Kendrick singled off Jose Cisnero (2-1) leading off the eighth and Albert Pujols struck out. Hamilton then doubled off the wall in left-centre. Barnes, the centre fielder, threw to Elmore at shortstop, and Elmore badly overthrow the plate for his third error in two games. Houston put runners at first and second with two outs in the eighth, but Kevin Jepsen struck out Carlos Corporan, who fanned four times Sunday and has 15 strikeouts in his last 20 at-bats. NOTES: Angels OF Peter Bourjos has a broken right wrist, an injury sustained when he was hit by a pitch from Houstons Jordan Lyles on Saturday. Bourjos is likely to be placed on the 15-day DL Tuesday, when the Angels start a series against St. Louis. ... Houston 1B-DH Carlos Pena will be away from the team until Tuesday due to a death in his family. Astros manager Bo Porter said Penas nephew drowned in the Dominican Republic and Pena was travelling there to be with his family. He was not placed on the bereavement list, and the team expects him back for Tuesday nights game against Tampa Bay. ... Houston placed OF Justin Maxwell on the seven-day DL because of concussion-related symptoms. He sustained a concussion on Tuesday night and passed the concussion tests the next day. He then experienced a slight headache after pinch running in Friday nights game. Houston recalled OF Jimmy Paredes from Triple-A Oklahoma City. ... Los Angeles OF Mike Trout got a day off for the first time this season. ... Houstons Dallas Keuchel opposes Tampa Bays Matt Moore when the Astros open a four-game series on Monday. ' ' '