ESPN__Sources: Bulls wait on replacement to ax coach

[mikebeau]

Sources: Del Negro firing closer

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By Chris Broussard

ESPN The Magazine

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The decision to fire head coach Vinny Del Negro has already been made, according to sources with knowledge of the Chicago Bulls' thinking. The fact that the Bulls' front office has not been able to settle on a replacement is the main thing keeping the embattled Del Negro employed, the sources said.

There were discussions recently within the organization about having John Paxson, Chicago's executive vice president of basketball operations, take over the team, but Paxson ultimately decided against it. Then, according to sources, Chicago contacted former Bulls coach Doug Collins, a candidate for the job two years ago when Del Negro was hired, but Collins was not interested in coaching the club.

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Phone messages left for Paxson and Bulls general manager Gar Forman were not returned.

Chicago, which will have approximately $15 million in cap space next summer, would like to have a permanent coach in place well before the long-awaited free-agent bonanza of 2010 begins.

The Bulls would prefer not to promote an assistant coach, either Bernie Bickerstaff or Pete Myers, to interim status, but if they can't settle on a permanent replacement for Del Negro, they may have to go that route.

A strong run by the Bulls, who beat New Orleans Saturday night after the return of Tyrus Thomas from a broken arm, could delay Del Negro's eventual firing, but there is practically no chance he would coach the team beyond this season.

Del Negro's first season in Chicago was largely viewed as disappointing until the Bulls stunned the Boston Celtics by taking them to seven games in the first round of last season's playoffs. Coming off that impressive performance, this season's 11-17 record is a colossal disappointment.

There is no shortage of reputable coaches available. Byron Scott, who was fired by New Orleans earlier this season, would seem to be a logical candidate. Avery Johnson, who sources say is on the short list of coaching candidates for New Orleans and New Jersey next season, along with Jeff Van Gundy, Sam Mitchell and Lawrence Frank, have all had successful coaching careers. Scott, Johnson and Mitchell have all been named NBA Coach of the Year.

[E.T.]

This will excite a few ... thinking they're getting a late present.

[RichmondBull]

Yeah I saw that too and got excited for a brief moment then figured it was probably chicago.  Most of the headlines from USF say "USF."  Especially the headline about "USF coach accused of hitting player."

[flsportsfan83]

ET,

     Leavitt is going nowhere. 

Our program is going nowhere as well under the golden child

[WillieMashBull]

This thread title is cruel and unusual. Why would you do that to a guy enjoying his vacation? 

To all of you previous posters, do you really think that losing Leavitt now, right before January, would be good for all Bulls involved? Right before a bowl game that needs to be won to maintain a semblance of credibility?

Seems selfish to me that the Leavitt detractors are licking their lips over this scandal. Losing the head coach this way would throw bowl preparations into disarray, damage USF's national credibility, and likely put us in a position to gain a HC who's no better than CJL.

[mikebeau]

This thread title is cruel and unusual. Why would you do that to a guy enjoying his vacation? 

To all of you previous posters, do you really think that losing Leavitt now, right before January, would be good for all Bulls involved? Right before a bowl game that needs to be won to maintain a semblance of credibility?

Seems selfish to me that the Leavitt detractors are licking their lips over this scandal. Losing the head coach this way would throw bowl preparations into disarray, damage USF's national credibility, and likely put us in a position to gain a HC who's no better than CJL.

I thought it was funny.  Throwing a little grinch into your christmas break

[crambone]

worst thread title EVER!!!

=p

[RichmondBull]

This thread title is cruel and unusual. Why would you do that to a guy enjoying his vacation? 

To all of you previous posters, do you really think that losing Leavitt now, right before January, would be good for all Bulls involved? Right before a bowl game that needs to be won to maintain a semblance of credibility?

Seems selfish to me that the Leavitt detractors are licking their lips over this scandal. Losing the head coach this way would throw bowl preparations into disarray, damage USF's national credibility, and likely put us in a position to gain a HC who's no better than CJL.

Who cares?  It's the freaking international bowl

[usfbullcpa]

I guess the NCAA in general is glad you guys only root for one school.  If you apply your logic to Football in general the head coaching position would be a revolving door where guys should not even take their coat off. 

Where in the world do you think we have are even deserving or honestly think this season should have been any different than it was?  We are going to another bowl.  I will apologize to each of you that it is not a BCS bowl, but still it is a bowl.  again.  wow, your expectations are way off base. 

Without CJL we would be floundering around like UCF, in a non-bcs conference, no air time, nothing at all to look forward to.  At least we really do have some national spotlight, we have respect, probably too much which is one reason this season ended where it did.

[RichmondBull]

I guess the NCAA in general is glad you guys only root for one school.  If you apply your logic to Football in general the head coaching position would be a revolving door where guys should not even take their coat off.   

Where in the world do you think we have are even deserving or honestly think this season should have been any different than it was?  We are going to another bowl.  I will apologize to each of you that it is not a BCS bowl, but still it is a bowl.  again.  wow, your expectations are way off base. 

Without CJL we would be floundering around like UCF, in a non-bcs conference, no air time, nothing at all to look forward to.  At least we really do have some national spotlight, we have respect, probably too much which is one reason this season ended where it did.

starting 5-0 the past three seasons and falling apart in the second half is unacceptable