Doug Collins backs out of coaching sweepstakes Options

[madisonsmadhouse]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/977280,collins052908.article

Doug Collins to become Bulls head coach

May 29, 2008
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BY BRIAN HANLEY Staff Reporter

Doug Collins will become the next Bulls head coach, according to a source.

The source said the deal is expected to be announced "sooner rather than later."


Full Court Press biog: Collins is an interesting choice

Expect one of the other candidates general manager John Paxson interviewed to be one of Collins' assistants.

Paxson has said Collins has one of the best basketball minds around, and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said he loves Collins despite having fired Collins in a controversial move in 1989.

Collins coached the Bulls from 1986-89 and took the Bulls to the Eastern Conference finals. He also coached the Detroit Pistons and later coached Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards.

Collins is an intense, fiery coach, who will remind some of Scott Skiles, who was fired on Christmas Eve.

Recently, Collins said he didn't want to leave his broadcasting job with TNT. Since then, the Bulls landed the No. 1 draft pick.
"I know Doug's got the itch [to coach again]," a league source said. "I think the Bulls' youth intrigues Doug more than the Phoenix [Suns] situation. He's a teacher That's what he likes to do.

"He might have been leery about the veterans on the Suns, including Shaq.

A native of Benton, Ill., Collins starred at Illinois State.

[Steve9347]

I broke it a half-hour earlier in the other thread!

[madisonsmadhouse]

It deserves its own thread IMO.

[Steve9347]

It deserves its own thread IMO.

You are more than correct, I was just kidding.

[madisonsmadhouse]

You are more than correct, I was just kidding.

So now the big question is, what does everyone think?

Its not the greatest hire IMO, but I think he will work well with our core.

[Balta1701-B]

Well, that's a bit surprising. With all the youth though I guess it could well work.

I'm hoping Pax is smart enough to pick up a couple of quality assistants who can take over the job a little ways down the road.

[rangercal]

This is a move to develop our young guys the right way. I like it. This coaching hire increases the odds that Tyrus will remain a bull imo.

[Balta1701-B]

This is a move to develop our young guys the right way. I like it. This coaching hire increases the odds that Tyrus will remain a bull imo.

I think I agree with that. I think it's the right move too. I still like the TT/Deng/Noah/Rose/Gordon+Thabo lineup quite a bit on paper.

Next step is to find some assistants, and to try to move Hinrich and Noc's contracts, IMO.

[soxfan3530]

Love the hiring. I think DC is a great bball mind. Plus he is a REDBIRD!!

[Steve9347]

This is a move to develop our young guys the right way. I like it. This coaching hire increases the odds that Tyrus will remain a bull imo.

^^ It's a great hiring.

[Chicago Bulls Fr...]

Thats cool, I like Doug Collins but I would have proffered Corbin. Maybe he will be the assistant?

[Balta1701-B]

Thats cool, I like Doug Collins but I would have proffered Corbin. Maybe he will be the assistant?

I wouldn't mind at all if Pax were to try to pick a high level assistant out of the group he interviewed to play the coach in waiting role. Trib even suggests that will happen.

One of the many younger coaches Paxson also has interviewed is expected to land on Collins' staff.

[BigEdWalsh]

I like it. I really liked Collins when he was here the first time and was shocked and not happy when he was let go. Of course, as things turned out with Phil Jackson...well, need I say?
I think with this young team which is going to get even younger, Collins is a great fit. I would have been curious to see how Corbin might have worked out, but oh well, this is probably for the better.
Welcome back, Doug!

[dasox24]

I'm really surprised most of you are happy about this. I feel like we just settled. Like, it's a good hiring, but not the best. I thought Pax was gonna really explore all his options, and then all of a sudden he hires Collins out of left field? What's that about? He hasn't coached in 6 years, and he wasn't that good as the Wizards coach. He went 37-45 in both his seasons before getting fired.

Now, I really hope we hire a high level assistant that can come in and learn the ropes to eventually be the head coach of the future. Tyrone Corbin (who was my favorite for the job), Brian Shaw, or someone like that would be great.

[SoxFan1]

I'm a fan of the hire. It was kind of unexpected, but I've always associated Collins with the Bulls. He was definitely one of my favorite basketball announcers and is very knowledgeable about the game. Let's see if we can get a good coaching staff next to him and make some things happen.