The Bulls‘ search for a new head coach is underway, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports that the team has received permission to speak to a number of candidates and has begun conducting interviews.
Several candidates identified by Wojnarowski have been previously reported as potential targets for Chicago. That group includes former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, Sixers assistant Ime Udoka, Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas, and Timberwolves associate head coach David Vanterpool.
In addition to those candidates, Wojnarowski reports that the Bulls have also been granted permission to talk to Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley and Heat assistant Dan Craig.
Finally, current Bulls assistants Chris Fleming and Roy Rogers – holdovers from Jim Boylen‘s staff who remain under contract – may receive consideration for the top job, according to Wojnarowski. K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago indicates that Fleming could have a role on the new staff if he isn’t promoted, since he has previously worked with Bulls executive VP Arturas Karnisovas in Denver and there’s a “trust factor” between the two men.
Following Boylen’s dismissal, Karnisovas suggested that Chicago is seeking a head coach who “puts the relationship with players first” and is “a good communicator.” The Bulls, who appear to be conducting a wide-ranging search, could be competing with the Pacers, Sixers, Nets, and Pelicans for certain candidates, since all of those clubs are also in the market for new head coaches.
While Karnisovas has said there’s no set timeline for finalizing a new hire, it will be interesting to see whether Chicago tries to have a new head coach in place for its organized offseason team activities, which are scheduled to take place from September 14 to October 6.
Coaches in NBA are irrelevant anyway. Players run it all. When or if they play.
First job – to my recollection – that didn’t mention Jason Kidd. Must be a really bad job.
If I were a coach looking for a job, I’d prefer the Bulls gig over the Nets job. The Bulls need work, but I think there would be a lot less pressure in Chicago to win immediately. Brooklyn is going to be a harder situation to navigate.
The Bulls job would definitely be the safest. All other openings are to teams expected to immediately compete for the postseason.
The Sixers are desperate to prove the Simmons/Embiid combo works, while the Nets have win-now veterans in Kyrie and KD. The Pacers expect the offense to be modernized, while the Pelicans expect more from a team with Zion, Ingram, and Ball. Another detriment to the New Orleans opening would be playing in the rough western conference, where the playoffs are a luxury, not a guarantee
Appalachian, that’s not how coaches think. If you’re avoiding teams due to “more pressure” you won’t last long in the NBA. And please, it’s the Chicago Bulls. There will always be pressure from the most loyal fans in the league. Blame MJ for that.