Pete Youngman probably needed to go. You get a little cushy in your position after 25 years. You become an old dog with no new tricks. You could say "well this guy is so full of wisdom after so many years...". That's one way to look at it. The other way is training methodology has changed dramatically over the last decade and years and new blood was needed to usher in those strategies. My experience is that tenured employees are more inclined to get lazy than inventive and cutting edge.
Now onto the central issue. There is a seeming consensus that if these reports are true, Williams needs to be dismissed. Need I remind Kings fans with short memory Vlade was clearly in over his head going back to the Boogie deal. He absolutely botched the negotiations and public relations. He conducted himself like an amateur. It was either fire him and introduce more chaos and turnover or give him help. Brandon Williams was that help. I contend they currently they serve as co-GMs. Williams has brought stability and structure and improved communication throughout the league. We are going to throw that away now? Then trades happen only is if Vlade happens to run into a counterpart at all-star break or scouting event? No! We need Williams to facilitate and negotiate with clearly defined strategic objectives. Vlade is not capable of this to nuance needed.
I also contend that Williams was prudent to keep the eye out for alternate coaching candidates last year when there was indication Joerger was going to give Z-Bo role with this team this season. The team performance last year was so pathetic and many coaches have been fired for less. Joerger was fighting for self-preservation related to his ability and willingness to adapt and implement a system complementary to his talent. He has done a very good and noble job as reflected by any statistical account. Williams is not so stupid to ignore these facts, reason and evidence. If Williams is insistent that the coach needs to be replaced in the context of our 8-8 start, and improved point differential, he needs to go. If he has genuine reservations about long term viability of the coach, but grants the commendable job from a year ago, I get it. A healthy skepticism in this context is justified.
If Joerger is going to be fired, should the season unravel, which I don't think it will, it should not be until after this season anyway. If the parties cannot at least agree on this much, Williams is gone. I take exception to the perspective this should be a "developmental year". Um, we don't have our pick and we are trying to reverse a decade plus of losing. The objective should be win, win, win while developing young talent through playing time earned in practice and opponents. This is what Joerger is doing. All in all this is more worthy of an extension than pink slip if our season continues on the current trajectory.