Liberty rehire Bill Laimbeer

NEW YORK -- The New York Liberty have rehired Bill Laimbeer as their head coach Thursday, the team announced.

The Liberty didn't renew his contract in October after New York missed the playoffs for the second straight season. The team chose not to exercise his option year.

In his two seasons in New York, Laimbeer had gone 26-42. The former Detroit Pistons star led the Detroit Shock to three WNBA titles as the team's general manager and coach from 2002 to 2009.

Laimbeer held both the general manager and head coach title in his previous stint with the Liberty. He will be just the coach now.

New York made a splash before the start of last season, acquiring Tina Charles from the Connecticut Sun in a draft-day trade.