http://sportstwo.com/NBA/Story/NBA/1413133 Bulls name Boylan interim coach Thursday, December 27, 2007 02:42 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bulls found Scott Skiles' replacement Thursday, naming Jim Boylan as the team's interim coach for the remainder of the season. The announcement came three days after Chicago fired Skiles, who coached the underachieving Bulls to a 9-16 record this season after guiding them to the playoffs in each of the last three campaigns. Boylan, who joined the team as an assistant in May 2004, will make his debut as the Bulls' coach Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. "After sitting down with Jim yesterday and discussing our team, I feel comfortable giving him the interim head coaching position," Bulls vice president John Paxson said. "Jim has paid his dues as an assistant coach and has his own ideas on the way he wants us to play." Paxson also announced Thursday that Skiles' assistant coaching staff will remain with the Bulls. "Many top assistants never get the chance to be a head coach in the NBA, and Jim has assured me he will provide the necessary energy and commitment this position requires," Paxson said. "Ron Adams, Pete Myers and Mike Wilhelm will continue to play integral roles on the staff and will give great support to Jim and our team." Myers coached the Bulls in Wednesday's 94-79 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Boylan, 52, has spent 14 seasons as an assistant in the NBA, coaching under Skiles, Mike Fratello, Brian Hill and Terry Stotts. Boylan will replace the fiery Skiles, whose hard-line approach may have worn thin with several Bulls players. A preseason favorite to contend for the Eastern Conference title, the Bulls lost 10 of their first 12 games this season and are mired in last place in the Central Division. The early slump marks an extreme regression from last season, when the Bulls went 49-33 and reached the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they were ousted by the Detroit Pistons in six games.
