Collins next Bulls coach - announcement this week

by chgobr on Jun 1, 2008 8:05 PM CDT

The Doug Collins watch is winding down: Barring any last-minute hiccups, the Bulls are expected to introduce Collins as their next coach at a midweek news conference.

An announcement of Collins' hiring could come as early as Tuesday, a source said, with a formal introduction Wednesday. Sources told the Sun-Times last Thursday that Collins, who coached the Bulls from 1986-89, had agreed to return.

The Sun-Times also states

Speculation is that Paxson will want Collins to give a spot on his coaching staff to one of the candidates the Bulls have interviewed over the past six weeks. Collins could groom that person to succeed him as coach. Utah Jazz assistants Tyrone Corbin and Jeff Hornacek, former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey, and Sacramento Kings assistant Chuck Person interviewed with Paxson. The GM also met with Los Angeles Lakers assistants Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw and former New York Knicks guard Mark Jackson, currently an analyst for ESPN. Collins, whom Paxson regards as a ''brilliant'' basketball mind, is said to be excited to get back to coaching, particularly with the Bulls, the youngest team in the league. The fact the Bulls own the No. 1 pick in the June 26 draft and will select either former Memphis guard and Simeon star Derrick Rose or former Kansas State forward Michael Beasley also attracted Collins to the job. The Bulls are expected to bring both prospects to the Berto Center for two-day visits the week of June 16.

It appears we not only will see a new coach but his successor.

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Comments

Sort of like the anticipation before a blind date

by hlac on Jun 1, 2008 8:26 PM CDT 0 recs

We should get bumper stickers

RUN, DOUG, RUN!!!!!!!!!

"I tell you, Steve Blass, you pitch me inside, they never, never find that ball."
-Roberto Clemente

by cubbybear on Jun 1, 2008 8:27 PM CDT 0 recs

It's kind of a bummer how the "sure thing" rumors always seem to be rumors,

and the “meh” rumors turn out to be true (assuming this rumor does turn out to be true, I suppose). I’m not exactly excited, but imo it could be far worse.

Here's to the most exciting offseason in a VERY long time!

by wjb1492 on Jun 1, 2008 8:48 PM CDT 0 recs

How odd that Collins would leave his supersweet announcing

job for a position in which he’ll be training his successor. Something’s not adding up, and maybe that’s why it’s been a week and nothing has added up.

by YaoPau on Jun 1, 2008 9:04 PM CDT 0 recs

Maybe John Paxson's successor is in training too

weren’t the Bucks talking about Collins as a prospective GM candidate?

Obviously it’s pure speculation on my part, but it’s speculation informed by how I’ve always been taught to manage people. Other things being equal If you’re bringing someone potentially important in, you want to have a roadmap to their success as well as your own. People want to work in a place where they think they can be promoted if they merit it.

If I were Paxson, my plan would be to be the “Team President” in three years, with Collins as “GM” and Jeff Hornacek as head coach.

OK, if I were Paxson I probably wouldn’t be hiring Collins or Hornacek, but you see what I mean.

by Sports2 on Jun 1, 2008 11:09 PM CDT 0 recs