(My Sportsbook) - Well, it took eight games, but Sidney Lowe is no longer head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Instead of waiting for the inevitable axe to come down, Lowe worked the guillotine himself by resigning from the post on Tuesday.

The Grizzlies are off to an 0-8 start, matching their worst start in franchise history, set last season in the team's first year in Memphis.

The Grizzlies hit rock bottom on Monday, suffering a 108-101 home loss to the Golden State Warriors, who had lost six straight coming into the game. That loss was preceded by a setback to Denver in which Memphis scored just 73 points.

"I understand that [today's announcement] is an unfortunate part of the professional coaching business," said Lowe. "I wish the team well. The Grizzlies have some good, young talent here, and they are going to be good in the future."

Lowe had been the Grizzlies' head man since the start of the 2000-01 season. In each of the previous two campaigns, Lowe guided the team to a franchise- best 23-59 record.

Some felt that with a solid core of young talent and the addition of Jerry West in the front office, the Grizzlies would greatly improve upon last season.

It hasn't happened and the Grizzlies now find themselves bringing in their sixth coach in the franchise's eighth season.

That new head coach is Hubie Brown, who returns to coaching after a 15-year hiatus. Brown, who had been a color commentator on NBA broadcasts for Turner Sports since 1987, formerly coached the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks.

"Hubie is one of the premiere basketball minds in the business," said West. "I feel fortunate that we are able to find such an individual in such a short period of time and that he agreed to step in and accept this job. Our young, talented players will have the experience of working with the ultimate teacher. We are certainly excited about what he brings to our team."

In Lowe's defense, the team's personnel moves have had this team headed backward and not forward. The Grizzlies came into the league in 1995-96 and have been in a perpetual state of rebuilding ever since. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the best player in the team's brief history, was traded to Atlanta prior to last season and the forward went on to make his first All-Star appearance with the Hawks.

Memphis received Pau Gasol in the Abdur-Rahim trade and he went on to win Rookie of the Year. Hopefully West won't be dealing Gasol in a couple of years for a lottery pick.