http://sportstwo.com/NBA/Story/NBA/2340138 Bulls to hire Collins as coach Thursday, May 29, 2008 12:21 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Nearly 20 years later, Doug Collins appears headed back to the Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday that Bulls are expected to name Collins as their new coach. According to the report, the deal is expected to be announced "sooner rather than later." The team had no comment on the report. Collins coached the Bulls from 1986-89. He was fired in a controversial move by owner Jerry Reinsdorf despite taking the Bulls to the Eastern Conference finals in his final season. Despite his dismissal, Collins always has kept a close relationship with Reinsdorf and Bulls general manager John Paxson. Collins, who currently serves as broadcaster for TNT, also has coached Detroit and Washington in his career. He owns a 332-287 record, including a 15-23 playoff mark. The return of Collins is a bit of a surprise since he recently talked about not wanting to leave broadcasting. Known as an intense, fiery coach, Collins would take over a team that underachieved badly this past season. Chicago, which was expected to contend in the Eastern Conference, went just 33-49 en route to missing the playoffs. The Bulls' tumultuous season included the firing of coach Scott Skiles in December. Interim coach Jim Boylan was let go at the conclusion of the campaign. Collins would step into a fortunate situation since the Bulls own the first pick in June's NBA draft. That selection is expected to be either Memphis point guard Derrick Rose or Kansas State forward Michael Beasley. A native of Benton, Illinois, Collins also had a solid NBA playing career, averaging 17.9 points in eight seasons after being selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1973 draft out of Illinois State. He was a four-time All-Star.
John Paxson has released the following statement to media outlets in response: “I have been in contact with Doug Collins in regard to our head coaching position. Contrary to some reports that are currently out there, we have not reached an agreement. Right now, his commitment is covering the Western Conference Finals for TNT. When that series concludes, we will continue our dialogue. In the meantime, I will continue to talk to other candidates and review our options.”
^^^ The most recent conversation went something like this: Pax: Hey Doug, we're just about ready to announce your hiring as coach of the Bulls. Collins: I'm ready, the sooner the better, so I can get working with the guys and analyze the draft situation. Pax: There is just one thing... I'll be needing your cell phone number so I can phone in the substitutions during the game. You know, if you don't play Tyrus enough, I'll need to call you to tell you to put him in. Collins: I have the Western Conference Finals to cover for TNT. Talk to you later. Much.
I've come to not expect competence, but jeez. How can they not keep the lid on this? Or, if it's really not a done deal, how can they blow it. As far as Collins as coach, I'm not sure how I feel about it. It's as if Paxson has looked around and thrown his hands up in the air and given up on finding someone he really wants. I can partially understand that since I was advocating, at this point, a guy like Van Gundy. The last thing we need is another inexperienced guy. Collins is at least experienced. On the other hand, people might forget his history of sucking the joy out of life for his players. Ironically, I've been around for all his coaching stops. I was in Chicago for his first tour with the Bulls. In Michigan when he coached the Pistons. In DC when he coached the Wizards. The common denominator was that he put a pretty good team on the floor and is a good xs and os coach that will quickly turn his players against him. In none of the places I've seen him have I seen anyone upset he was gone. My hope, and semi-theory, is that this is a short-term plan and Pax is also bringing in a protege (although any protege is going to come with the baggage of having to replace Collins from within the staff, which seems difficult to me). When I write it out, I can't think of many instances of that being successful. OK, I hope they botch this like they botched D'Antoni.
Chicago, where done deals aren't done! Kobe deal, D'Antoni... I saw in the Chicago Tribune that the buzz out of the predraft camp was that Avery Johnson was close to being the Bulls coach. I would rather have Avery, JVG, Shaw, or Thibodeau than Collins. I agree with the Pax just throwing his hands up and hiring if Collins is indeed the hire.
Update: Doug Collins is not the new coach of the job, hasn't been offered the job, and hasn't been interviewed yet.
