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Trib: Doug Collins expected to be next Bulls coach

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This report from KC Johnson was mentioned earlier today in a (since hidden) fanpost, but that was a first draft, with the idea that Collins could be coming in as either the head coach or an assistant.

Now?

Six weeks ago Thursday, shortly after firing interim coach Jim Boylan, general manager John Paxson talked about hiring someone who passionately resonated with players and fans.

How about Doug Collins?

Sources confirmed the former Bulls coach is expected to become the new Bulls coach.

...

Paxson, according to sources, first contacted Collins about the job shortly after firing Boylan. At that time, Collins gave indications he didn't want to return to coaching...But Collins' extremely close relationship with Paxson, friendship with team Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf (who fired Collins) and the Bulls winning the draft lottery have changed his mind, sources said.

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

Well...fire away in the comments. I'm pretty numb in terms of an initial reaction. 'Shock', more than anything.

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Wow, that's a big let down

I have no informed opinion of Collins, but I was hoping for some fresh blood in the organization.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 29, 2008 10:05 AM CDT   0 recs

Agreed.

If here coming w/o Rose, I’d completely write off the next three years.

by tyger1147 on May 29, 2008 10:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, good luck.

Looks like Collins and the #1 pick for Beasley. GREAT MOVES PAXSON!! HAHA!!

by Flimjo on May 29, 2008 12:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

NO WAY--THIS IS PERFECT!

Doug C. is perfect, as long as he pushes the pace a little. He’s absolutely a “teaching” coach, he has cred around the league, and quite frankly, with a fresh attitude the Bulls should now be able to stay with any team in the league.

D’Antoni would have been better offensively, but Doug C. is a really good coach. And I believe he has learned from his first experience here, in which he became too frenetic and gave off the wrong vibe with his emotional rollercoaster.

It’s like grabbing Obi Wan Kenobi out of the dessert and having him join the war.

"It’d be ridiculous to hate someone for simply what they say in a sports blog. But I greatly dislike every syllable of your angst-filled, smarmy, nondescript, half-assed, elitist-garbage responses." –Rogerspark Kris

by bullhockey on May 29, 2008 1:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

...or even out of the desert.

"It’d be ridiculous to hate someone for simply what they say in a sports blog. But I greatly dislike every syllable of your angst-filled, smarmy, nondescript, half-assed, elitist-garbage responses." –Rogerspark Kris

by bullhockey on May 29, 2008 1:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

hilarious typo. and I agree with you 100%. Collins is insightful, positive, and is a teacher. I love pick – it’s someone I didn’t even consider but i’m much happier with Collins than I would have been with any of the other guys outside D’antoni.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on May 29, 2008 6:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ugh, like it even less now

Each of his teams has finished in the last 3 spots in the league in pace. This could be a real boring tenure.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 29, 2008 10:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Didn't know that

thanks for looking that up, even if it’s depressing. Too late to steal George Karl??

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

HA!

Too late to steal George Karl??

^

Co’mon…he aint that bad..look what he did to the wizards and look at his great commentating skills. We should have got Hubie Brown..lol

by Belize on May 29, 2008 12:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Great info....

Parental Advisory - Explicit Content

by Jivas on May 29, 2008 1:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why is this bad?

I’m not sure why you’re so down on this, I think it’s a great move. Apparently you were a huge Kurt Rambis fan. Did you really want to entrust the 1st pick and a bunch of talent to some first time head coach without a clue? Collins is a great choice, he’s the type of guy I absolutely feel comfortable with taking the reins.

by Juiceboxjerry on May 29, 2008 10:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't know anywhere enough about any of the assitant candidates to form an opinion of

What I do, though, have an opinion on is that this team is best suited for an uptempo game. Doug Collins’s track record as a head coach doesn’t exactly lead one to believe he’d be successful, if even willing to do so, with such a pace. I wouldn’t cast aspersions on all retreads as I liked the idea of D’Antoni, hoped for Karl, and was warming up to Bzdelik. These are all coaches whose teams play uptempo and could fit well. At the same time, good coaches have to get their first gig sometime and, if it’s the right fit, I would have no problem with one of the assistants landing the head coaching spot with the Bulls.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 29, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm fine with it....

...seems like a great basketball mind. Didn’t have too much to work with in Wash from what I recall. I’m not old enough to remember his old stint with the Bulls…I don’t know what’s so shocking about it. Our other choices are Avery Johnson, Jeff Hornacek, Tyrone Corbin, etc…

by seang03 on May 29, 2008 10:05 AM CDT   0 recs

Bz-Dlik wasn't a bad option

We wouldn’t have to read and hear about Doug Collins’ second chance, Michael Jordan, point A and B, and C. Plus he can’t coach offense, so boo.

by hscs on May 29, 2008 10:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh yikes

the return of the championship road map, you’re right…

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow...

How about this for speculative conspiracy: No way Collins puts together a too-competent staff. Could you imagine AGAIN being fired in favor of an assistant to only have suffered through the rebuilding years to watch someone else take over a championship team?

by tyger1147 on May 29, 2008 10:05 AM CDT   0 recs

well, he's halfway there

with the holdovers.

It’s reading like theres some succession plan with whomever the ‘new’ assistant(s) will be. Although Doug isn’t as old as he looks.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

heh

well according to both the Trib and the Herald –

He was also left with good impressions of three candidates who interviewed in Chicago last week _ Utah assistant Tyrone Corbin, Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis and Sacramento assistant Chuck Person.

Since this sounds like it’s not going to be long-term thing anyway, maybe Paxson convinces Collins to hire those three?

by NormVanBeer on May 29, 2008 10:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I wouldn't be worried about Pax convincing anyone

Skiles mentioned he didn’t get to hire any of his assistants in Chicago or Phoenix, but I’m sure he had some input in hiring his BFF Boylan. Collins likely won’t be charged with putting a staff together.

by hscs on May 29, 2008 10:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Those 3?

Why would you leave good teams in Utah or a potential dynasty in LA as an assistant to be an assistant for the Bulls? For the potential to maybe one day be the head coach?

by bullschwaa on May 29, 2008 10:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

uh, yes?

There are only 30 head coaching jobs, so even a ‘promise’ of one is something worth considering.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

phew

I’m glad Pax is hiring a new assistant coach too. Ron and Pete need to be pushed!

by hscs on May 29, 2008 10:06 AM CDT   0 recs

I dont know about Doug Collins.....

really i dont know about any of these guys that he is interviewing except Avery Johnson(i think he is Scott Skiles black twin anyway) so as long as they pick Rose i am cool with it

CHICAGO MANE!!!!

by YEP on May 29, 2008 10:08 AM CDT   0 recs

I'm particularly happy

that KC got scooped by the Daily Herald.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 29, 2008 10:10 AM CDT   0 recs

well, the Herald

still says ‘may’.

It does look like they beat KC overall with the Collins idea, although both admit they scooped it from a Phoenix radio station.

I didn’t read my dailies this morning, so I blame all of you for not posting the Herald version first.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i like it

whenever Collins covered a Bulls game he always seemed like he had a good knowledge of the Bulls players, and their strengths and weaknesses. He was usually spot on with his assessments…but then again, most of us are too

by NormVanBeer on May 29, 2008 10:12 AM CDT   0 recs

Jeff Van Gundy said the Bulls needed to be an uptempo team.

What are the chances that the Bulls would end up an uptempo team if he actually coached them? It’s a lot easier to analyze from outside the fox hole.

formerly sbulls

by Scotter on May 29, 2008 10:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

exactly

hence my ending statement that “most of us are too”.

by NormVanBeer on May 29, 2008 10:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well, that's true

although I sure wanted to believe him :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So Doug Collins's teams have finished in the bottom five teams

in pace every season he coached. What are the chances he changes?

formerly sbulls

by Scotter on May 29, 2008 10:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I said I wanted to believe

I believe the chances are slim. I’ll give him a pass in Washington, he had to cater to MJ’s huge ego and shot legs.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

sounds like he is setting himself up

to be the the A to B again anyway. He’s a good coach, let’s just hope D. Rose isn’t the type to cuss him out…

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 29, 2008 10:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OTOH, they've all been good teams

Average or above-average in both offensive and defensive efficiency, w/ the exceptions in Washington.
If he can at least get the team to a Top-12 offensive, Top-5 defensive team, I’d be satisfied for the next three years. Of course, if that’s possible to be that good offensively at a slow pace with this personnel… that’s the question.

by tyger1147 on May 29, 2008 10:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

SunTimes
Sun-Times Bulls beat writer Brian Hanley broke the story today that Doug Collins will be the Bulls head coach.

The deal is expected to be announced sooner rather than later.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/fullcourtpress/2008/05/doug_collins_is_the_bulls_head.html#more

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

by NormVanBeer on May 29, 2008 10:23 AM CDT   0 recs

Paxson's First choice

You’ve gotta think that this was Paxson’s first choice even though he moved on to D’antoni. He probably wanted Collins all along but did;nt think it was possible. I like that because it means we’re not settling for a coach after D’antoni screwed us. If Pax had his choice initially he would’ve taken Collins .

by Juiceboxjerry on May 29, 2008 10:24 AM CDT   0 recs

completely agree

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 29, 2008 10:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

they did say

in the article that collins was contacted early on in the search.

guess it took the #1 pick to convince him. :P

by Jaina on May 29, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you're right
Paxson, according to sources, first contacted Collins about the job shortly after firing Boylan. At that time, Collins gave indications he didn’t want to return to coaching.

by NormVanBeer on May 29, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No

Just think about everything paxson likes in players and coaches, don’t you think Collins is the physichal embodiment of all of that stuff. You gotta think this is such a paxson type of coach

by Juiceboxjerry on May 29, 2008 10:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

re: spin

Why didn’t we know about this initial call to Collins earlier? First we heard of him was in the D’Antoni negotiations.

It smells like an intentional leak of “oh yeah, we wanted this guy all along” as a covering of the ass.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 11:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

or maybe courting D'Antoni for a couple of weeks

helped sell season tickets. Collins was also courted for the Milwaukee job early on and reportedly told them he had no interest.

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 29, 2008 11:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yes, I'm sure that was it.

Even in this post-hire hindsight reporting, there’s no indication that Collins was a first choice, just that he was contacted after Boylan was fired. As was apparently 84% of the league’s assistant coaches, and some not-yet-retired current players.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Talent Evaluation

Plus I like the idea of Collins, a very smart basketball guy, assisting Paxson in evaluating the draft and the bulls current roster.

by Juiceboxjerry on May 29, 2008 10:29 AM CDT   0 recs

Collins knows all about draft busts

He was one himself, and he coached Kwame.

by hscs on May 29, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh yea..

I fogot about that one

by Juiceboxjerry on May 29, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

4-time All-Star

Rusty Longley v 2.0

by Ozzie Montana on May 29, 2008 1:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

but, in fairness to hscs

(seeing as he’s always been fair to me), Collins was the #1 ovrerall pick, and I think more could have been expected from that pick.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 29, 2008 1:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

After a career ending injury?

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

by californiachicagoan on May 29, 2008 3:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Collins was the 3rd or 4th best player on his own team

during the best years of his career. Not much of a #1 pick.

by hscs on May 29, 2008 1:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My initial reaction is this is a good choice

Collins clearly is knowledgeable about the game. It appears Paxson believes one of the assistants he interviewed has great potential as Head Coach. Collins can groom the Assistant. This allows Collins to see this as a temporay job which may decrease the pressure on him since he is very intense and appeared close to a breakdown in previous head coach jobs.

Collin’s knowledge and intensity can jump-start the team. He should grab the attention of the players. This may help us get off to a reasonable start for the first time in ten years.

by chgobr on May 29, 2008 10:32 AM CDT   0 recs

But if you're an assistant on a winning team...

...why leave the current team for another one.

by tyger1147 on May 29, 2008 10:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Money talks

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 29, 2008 10:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

$$ talks

When do the Bulls overpay coaches?

by bullschwaa on May 29, 2008 10:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Who said anything about overpaying?

I know it’s fun and easy to cry the Bulls are cheap, but do you even have evidence that they pay their assistants less than other teams?

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 29, 2008 11:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Money Talks

Implies that the Bulls will pay more than Utah or LA to make the Bulls job more appealing, who would you rather be an assistant with LA or the Bulls?

by bullschwaa on May 29, 2008 11:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's more what Matt said up there earlier...

The belief that they have a chance to succeed Collins is better to most coaches than a couple thousand.

by CrashDavis on May 29, 2008 11:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Paying more does not equal overpaying

If money were equal, I’d probably want the Lakers job first (get to coach Kobe, Phil’s hips won’t allow him to stay forever), Bulls second (Collins won’t last much more than 2 seasons) then the Jazz (Sloan doesn’t seem to want to leave anytime soon). If someone offered more money and/or implications of a future head coaching job, I’d follow that trail.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 29, 2008 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was going to get into that...

...but Corbin is still new and might “know” that he’s 2nd or 3rd or lower on the who’s-after-Jerry list. And if we’re talking Shaw and Rambis, both can’t be the next HC. And Person? Well, that team has an okay future because of Martin, but not much else (says my woeful memory).

by tyger1147 on May 29, 2008 11:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

pretty sure

phil johnson may be the next in line in utah. so maybe corbin would want to go if he knows he’s first in line in chicago.

by Jaina on May 29, 2008 11:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe not

Johnson’s actually older than Sloan

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 11:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

really?

wow. but i thought i had read that somewhere – i could easily be mistaken.

by Jaina on May 29, 2008 11:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

no I read he's a successor as well

but it was with that age question in there.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 11:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't thing the Bulls are cheap.

At worst, you might say they tend to keep their powder dry until the time is right.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 29, 2008 11:03 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Collins does not seem like

a step down. I don’t know if I’d say a step up just yet, but definately not a step down

by gman2849 on May 29, 2008 10:37 AM CDT   0 recs

I repeat...Doug %@*&# Collins?!?!

As I said in my fanpost-this is an awful move. Why would you recycle a coach who has never gotten a team to the Finals? This is in keeping with the Bulls organizational philosophy-the coach needs to be a disciplinarian, a screamer, someone who can keep those young punk players in line. He is not an innovative offensive or defensive coach, and don’t forget that he has the exact same reputation as Skiles-maybe OK for a rebuilding situation, but his teams tire of him quickly. I’m old enough to remember Collins’ first go-around with the Bulls-a big reason he was fired was because Pippen and Grant got sick of him. This is pure nepotism, Pax and Reinsdorf just mining the old-boy network.

vanillablue.wordpress.com

by vanillablue on May 29, 2008 10:47 AM CDT   0 recs

to the finals?

that’s a pretty select criteria. I assume you’re an Avery Johnson fan then?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

not so much

I mean that if you’re going to recycle a coach who has been fired multiple times, at least get someone who has a significant track record of success. Collins’ most successful playoff run was with the ‘88-’89 Bulls. That was a damn long time ago.
With a young team and the #1 pick in the draft, I was hoping for more than Pax just hiring his buddy, but I guess that’s his established M.O. by now.

vanillablue.wordpress.com

by vanillablue on May 29, 2008 11:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe Horace Grant didn’t like him.

Obviously Jordon liked him. Collins freed up Jordan to let him post the most spectacular numbers of his career. This is what he will also do for Derrick Rose. Collins will scheme Rose into superstardom.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 29, 2008 10:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

somehow I don't think it was 'scheme'

that got ‘jordon’ to superstardom.

Sam’s (famous) version of the story was that Collins enabled Jordan, and in turn wasn’t respected. It took Phil to get Jordan to that next level of team success.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 29, 2008 10:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Collins opened every possible door for Jordan

Maybe, as you say, he ‘enabled’ Jordan, but I think the most important thing-right now-for the Bulls is to maximise Derrick Rose. I think Collins will do this.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 29, 2008 10:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs