Category: Chicago Bulls Blog

The Chicago Tribune (K.C. Johnson) reports: Doug Collins will not be returning for a second coaching stint with the Bulls. Collins and team Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf mutually agreed during a Friday-afternoon phone conversation that the Bulls’ coaching search, now more than seven weeks old, would continue without Collins. “I just knew over the last few days that Jerry was really struggling over whether or not to do this, and I didn’t want Jerry to have those struggles,” Collins told the Tribune. “I love him. And I didn’t want him feeling that kind of angst.

“I have spoken with Bulls management recently about their head coaching vacancy and will resume conversations after the conclusion of my work for TNT in the Western Conference Finals. There is no agreement in place.” Doug Collins

Here is Jim Paxson from the Bulls today: “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 AP reports: Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah, son of former French Open champion Yannick Noah, has been charged with with possession of marijuana and having an open container of alcohol. Gainesville police spokesman Sgt. Rick Roberts says Noah was arrested around 1:50 a.m. Sunday after an officer spotted him on a sidewalk holding a plastic cup containing an amber drink, a violation of city law. During a search at the station, officers found marijuana in his pocket.

InsideHoops.com says: The Bulls and Noah had some issues last season, and while they like his talent, they aren’t positive about keeping him around for the long-term. This is just one more incident that will count as a strike against him as far as Bulls management is concerned.

The Arlington Heights Daily Herald (Mike McGraw) reports: This week figures to be important, with four interviews scheduled. Paxson plans to meet with Utah assistant Tyrone Corbin, former Minnesota coach Dwane Casey, part-time Utah assistant Jeff Hornacek and Sacramento assistant Chuck Person. Paxson also acknowledged that he has spoken to some candidates whose teams still are alive in the playoffs. According to a league source, ex-Bulls coach Phil Jackson worked out a time for Paxson to visit Los Angeles in recent days, where he most likely spoke to Lakers assistants Brian Shaw and Kurt Rambis. Among the teams playing in the conference finals, other candidates for the Bulls’ job include Boston’s Tom Thibodeau, Detroit’s Michael Curry and Terry Porter, along with San Antonio’s Mike Budenholzer.

The AP reports: An errant high five has prompted a dentist to sue the Chicago Bulls for the actions of mascot Benny the Bull. Don Kalant is alleging in the lawsuit filed Monday that he raised his hand to get a high-five from Barry Anderson, who plays the mascot. But instead of slapping Kalant’s palm on February 12th, Anderson grabbed his arm as he fell forward, hyperextending Kalant’s arm and rupturing his biceps muscle.

Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson issued the following statement regarding the team’s decision to relieve Interim Head Coach Jim Boylan today:
 
“Letting a coach go is never easy. Jim was put in a difficult position on Dec. 27, without the luxury of having a training camp and with some of the issues that arose during his time as head coach. I think during the time he coached this year, Jim showed he is very capable in that role and I hope he gets that opportunity again in the future. He certainly has the tools it takes to succeed at this level. I want to thank Jim for accepting the challenge during a difficult year and I wish him all the best.”
 
Boylan, 52, took over the head coaching duties on an interim basis on Dec. 27, 2007, and directed the Bulls to a 24-32 (.429) record in his 56 games at the helm. He spent four seasons with the franchise after being hired as an Assistant Coach on May 19, 2004. The 2007-08 season was Boylan’s 15th in the NBA as a coach, having also spent time on the sidelines in Cleveland under Mike Fratello (1993-97), Vancouver under Brian Hill (1997-2000), Phoenix under Scott Skiles (2000-01) and Atlanta under Terry Stotts (2003-04). He began his coaching career in the NBA in 1992 as Video Coordinator and Advance Scout for Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens’ Cavaliers. He also coached in the Continental Basketball Association and in college, including stops at Michigan State as an assistant under Jud Heathcote (1986-89) and as head coach at New Hampshire (1989-92).
 
As a player, Boylan helped lead the Marquette Warriors to the 1977 NCAA Championship and was later drafted by the Buffalo Braves in the fourth round (68th overall) of the 1979 NBA Draft.