OAKLAND, Calif. - Chris Mullin made a bold first move in his new position with the Golden State Warriors.

Coach Eric Musselman was fired Wednesday after just two seasons with the Warriors. He will be replaced by Stanford's Mike Montgomery, a source told The Associated Press.

Musselman told the AP in a phone interview that he received the news of the firing from Mullin, executive vice president of basketball operations, around 7:15 p.m.

Stanford spokesman Gary Migdol told the AP that Montgomery met with his players Wednesday to discuss the Warriors' situation. A Pac-10 source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Montgomery had accepted the job.

The Warriors were expected to make a formal announcement Thursday morning. Montgomery could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Warriors missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year in an injury-plagued season, finishing 37-45.

''It's been a great two years. The players have played their hearts out,'' Musselman said by cell phone Wednesday night. ''The organization's headed in a great direction.''

The hiring of the team's ninth coach since 1994 is the first big move made by Mullin since he took over the team last month.