WASHINGTON — The Washington Mystics have fired Tree Rollins as coach and made assistant Jessie Kenlaw to the position on an interim basis.

In a statement today, general manager Linda Hargrove didn't say what prompted the move by the Mystics, who are 8-14 and 7½ games behind the first-place Detroit Shock in the Eastern Conference.

Rollins played 18 seasons in the NBA and was an assistant coach with four NBA teams. He became Mystics coach in June 2007.

Team officials appreciated Rollins' efforts, Hargrove said, but believe Kenlaw's energy and discipline will inspire players. She has coached in the WNBA for eight years, including stints with the Seattle Storm and Houston Comets.