New Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka management decided a change was needed after the winless team's weekend setbacks.
Head coach Ryuji Kawai, who was in his second season in charge, was dismissed on Monday, a day after the team fell to 0-7 by dropping a 73-53 decision on the road to the Akita Northern Happinets.
Bob Nash, who joined the organization as associate coach in the offseason, was promoted to bench boss. (Pending paperwork, first-year staffer Hiroki Usui, a former Hachioji Bee Trains assistant coach, is filling in as temporary head man, including Wednesday's home game against the Kyoto Hannaryz. Fukuoka fell 81-72 in the midweek clash.)