Triano out as Raptors coach

TORONTO (AP) - Jay Triano will not return as Toronto Raptors coach next season.

The Raptors announced Wednesday they will not exercise their option on Triano's contract. He will be retained as a consultant and a special assistant to president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

"I have great respect for Jay Triano both as a person and as a basketball mind," Colangelo said in a release Wednesday. "Jay deserves tremendous credit for developing our young players this past season and our most recent win-loss record does not appropriately reflect his many positive contributions to this organization."

Triano, an Ontario native, guided the Raptors to a record of 87-142 in his three seasons as coach. He served as an assistant to three coaches before being named interim head coach in December 2008 following the dismissal of Sam Mitchell. The interim tag was later removed and Triano signed a three-year deal in May 2009.

"This was a difficult decision to make," Colangelo said. "But after almost three full seasons of observation and evaluation I believe that bringing in a new voice as head coach will accelerate the progress we are looking to make in the coming years.

"I am very pleased that Jay has agreed to stay on and help see through the plan that we have designed and initiated together."

The Raptors finished 22-60 this season, last in the Atlantic Division.