I am shocked! No way anybody could have talked me into believing this would be the hire after the season ended. From my standpoint, the recent rumors about him being in the running and this hire come out of left field. Those of you who know Del Negro feel free to educate me about what he's done since retiring as a player that makes him a good choice. Obviously I hope this works out. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3433896 Monday, June 9, 2008 Vinny Del Negro worked in the Phoenix Suns' front office last season The Chicago Bulls have offered their head coaching job to Phoenix Suns assistant general manager Vinny Del Negro, who is ready to accept, according to reports from the Chicago Tribune and The Associated Press. The Bulls and Del Negro, who has no previous coaching experience, must still finalize a deal, but a news conference officially announcing the hire is expected this week, the Tribune reported. Del Negro first interviewed with the Bulls on Thursday and moved ahead of Sacramento Kings assistant Chuck Person and former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey, who both had second interviews last week with Bulls management, including chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Doug Collins, who coached Chicago from 1986-89, had been expected to return to the Bulls' sideline but told the team to look elsewhere last week. The Bulls' search, nearing the two-month marker, has featured interviews with more than a dozen candidates and frustrating near-deals with Mike D'Antoni and Collins -- both of whom, sources told ESPN.com, were wanted badly by Bulls front-office chief John Paxson. Del Negro had also interviewed for the Phoenix vacancy created by D'Antoni's departure after spending the past season as a top aide to Suns president Steve Kerr, who is close with Paxson. Del Negro, 42, has made no secret of his desire to move to the coaching side of the game, recently telling The Arizona Republic: "It has always been tugging at me. ... I enjoy the business part of [basketball], but this process has opened my eyes to the passion I have for coaching." Information from ESPN.com's Marc Stein was used in this report.
I'm not quite sure of his coaching credentials but in his days he was a joy to watch. A poor man's Ginobli, mostly because he didn't have as much athleticism and wasn't as ambidextriously smooth. I think its great when teams bring in role players who excelled in being savy and simply knowing the game. I think Shane would be a great one of "these" coaches.
I thought about that too. I wonder if the final is going on(so he can't be interviewed) and he likes Boston has anything to do with it.
Yep, TT has paid his due in the league and yet another team gives their head coach job to someone who has little coaching experience.
Steve Kerr is tight with John Paxson, which probably helped Del Negro. Too bad, though, for Thibadeaux.
He will get his chance. If not next year then next year when another rash of firings will inevitably occur.
Would he be another Skiles for the Bulls? Their players made it clear they don't want an overbearing coach. He was supposed to be pretty intense on the sidelines coaching the Rockets Summer League team a few years back. Then there's the story of him following Yao to the crapper to talk about basketball matters.
Some of these coaching changes seem so strange. First, Terry Porter in Phoenix and now Del Negro in Chicago. The Porter hiring was unexpected but this is just beyond weird. With Porter you at least know he will try to add toughness and some dedication to defense in Phoenix. I think it will fail because that team is loaded with cupcakes who won't take well to his old school personality but who knows. At least Kerr is making a move that should make them a respectable defensive team with a hint of testosterone. The Del Negro deal is just a head scratcher. Keeping Skiles is a better idea than bringing in a rookie coach who never blew me away with his basketball IQ or his leadership qualities.
this shows you how intelligent the spurs were, and maybe the admiral wasn't as good as advertised. avery, doc rivers, and vinny all played together and are now potential head coaches.
LOL...as much as I despise Manu, I used to hate this guy on a Stockton level. But, either way you can't go wrong.
kellydwyer, please comment. Since you live in Chicago and cover the NBA for a living, maybe you can add some insight and try to explain why this hire makes sense. I'm still completely stunned.
