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PHILADELPHIA - Larry Brown felt he and the Philadelphia 76ers needed a change.

Brown resigned as coach of the 76ers on Monday after six turbulent seasons in which he helped rebuild the franchise.

"This has been coming for a long time," Brown said. "I thought in the middle of the season that we needed a change, a fresh look. That's been on my mind awhile."

A Hall of Famer and one of the most well-traveled coaches, Brown could be a candidate for coaching vacancies in Cleveland and Houston, among others.

The 76ers released Brown from a contractual clause that prohibited him from coaching another NBA team if he left Philadelphia prematurely. Brown had two years left in his contract that paid him $6 million per season.

"A lot of jobs are open, but I just left a great one," Brown said. "I'm going to sit back, try to get with my family and figure out what's best for everybody."

Brown's job with the 76ers was his longest tenure with any team in his 31-year coaching career. He led them to the playoffs five straight seasons, including the 2001 NBA Finals, and will coach the U.S. men's national team this summer at an Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico.

Brown, 62, had been contemplating stepping down since Philadelphia lost its second-round playoff series to Detroit in six games. The 76ers overcame a mediocre start, won 23 of their final 33 games and finished 48-34.

But after beating New Orleans in six games in the first round, the 76ers couldn't get past the top-seeded Pistons, losing twice in overtime and once on a last-second shot that was goaltended.

"We had a good run. I think it's time to get somebody else in here to maybe give a fresh look," Brown said. "I didn't want to hold this franchise back and I felt by staying here, I'd do that."

LeBron James, the Ohio high school phenom expected to go to the Cavaliers with the top pick in the NBA draft June 26, said he would be happy if Brown ended up in Cleveland.

"I think (Brown) is a great teacher if we can get him," James said during an interview at TNT's broadcast of the San Antonio-Dallas playoff game. "I consider myself a student of the game, so (Brown) would be great."

CAVALIERS: The agent for Jeff Van Gundy denied reports that the former Knicks coach has agreed to a deal to coach Cleveland. "I've never gotten a call on Jeff's behalf for even an offer," said Jim Ornstein, Van Gundy's New York-based agent. "It hasn't gotten to that point."

Ornstein and the William Morris Agency negotiated Van Gundy's contract with TNT and are representing him in his dealings with NBA teams. The Houston Rockets are interested in Van Gundy, and Houston is also said to be looking at Brown, Doc Rivers and Mike Dunleavy.