Golden State Warriors fire embattled head coach Mark Jackson

OFFICIAL: The #Warriors have relieved Head Coach Mark Jackson of his duties: http://t.co/o8FFN3tbWv

— Golden St. Warriors (@warriors) May 6, 2014

Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski reported today that the Golden State Warriors have fired embattled head coach Mark Jackson with one year left on his contract.

Wojnarowski's explanation for the firing pretty much coincides with what had been reported for weeks.

Jackson clashed constantly with management and struggled to manage his coaching staff during his Warriors tenure. Jackson's disinterest in game preparation and reluctance to practice despite a mostly young and gifted roster played a part in management's reluctance to commit long term to him, league sources said.

As widely reported previously, Jackson would've had to guide the Warriors to the Western Conference Finals - a step further than they went in last year's post-season - in order to keep his job; with the Warriors falling to the L.A. Clippers in a thrilling first round series, the writing was pretty much on the wall.

Mark Jackson fired more for personality reasons than for on-court results. Both factor into every decision, but not always weighed like this

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) May 6, 2014

Jackson guided the team to 51 wins and consecutive playoff berths for the first time in decades, despite persistent questions about playcalling and rotations. Although Jackson clashed with both assistant coaches and management, he gained vocal public support from his players, including superstar point guard Stephen Curry - reinforcing the notion that he had a special way of motivating players, just getting to the seventh game against the Clippers without the help of injured center Andrew Bogut should be considered an accomplishment.

A recent GSoM fanpost poll about Jackson (obviously, the pinnacle of scientific polling) 71% voted in favor of keeping Jackson to stay and develop with the team as someone who is just in the third year of his coaching career. Wojnarowski reports that the top candidates for Jackson's replacement are similarly inexperienced TV analyst Steve Kerr and former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy with the reluctant Fred Hoiberg also in the mix.

For more on the circumstances leading up to Jackson's firing, check out our storystream of commentary about him from throughout the season.