May 26, 2003, 10:53PM Brown available; Rockets interested Coach resigns from post with 76ers By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Carroll Dawson met with Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Dunleavy on Monday, but another suddenly available candidate could emerge as the favorite for the Rockets' coaching position. Larry Brown resigned as 76ers coach Monday and was freed from a clause in his contract that would have barred him from taking another job in the NBA. The Rockets had not contacted Brown or his representatives, and Dawson said no interviews are scheduled yet with any candidates. But a source familiar with the Rockets' decision-making said Dawson plans to pursue a meeting with Brown and that Alexander considers the Hall of Fame coach an outstanding fit for the Rockets. Brown said he was leaving the 76ers because he felt he could no longer be as effective as their coach. His six-year stint in Philadelphia was the longest of his career. He insisted, however, that he has not lost his desire to coach and repeatedly referred to the many positions open while pledging to be back on a bench next season. "I'm pumped about coaching," Brown said. "I don't want to go into another situation unless I know it's right for my family, myself and my franchise. I have to be careful about that. My passion for coaching is still there. I think I'm a much better coach than when I took this job six years ago. "I'm not going to be idle. I don't think I can do that." Sixers owner Ed Snider said his agreement with Brown will not require compensation from any team that lands him. "Basically, we mutually agreed to allow Larry to pursue anything he wants to pursue," Snider said. "We're very happy with the agreement. No compensation." 76ers assistant coach Mike Woodson, a former Rockets player who still lives in Katy, said Brown would be "a perfect fit" for the Rockets. "This would be an excellent place for Larry," said Woodson, who is a candidate to be the Toronto Raptors' coach. "I don't think any team out there that has a job open couldn't use Larry Brown. The guy has a brilliant mind for the game. He knows how to teach the game, which is so important when dealing with young players. "I think it's a perfect fit. They have a nucleus of young and veteran guys. The sky's the limit for the Houston Rockets. (Dawson) and Rudy (Tomjanovich) have done a great job assembling talent. Do I think Larry is the right guy for this job? No question." When Brown was specifically asked about the Rockets and Cavaliers, he was noncommittal, saying he would look into his options. "There (are) a lot of jobs open in this league," said Brown, who also was vice president of basketball operations in Philadelphia. "I just left a great one. I'm going to sit back, try to get with my family, try to figure out what's best for my family." Brown, 62, has coached the Carolina Cougars (of the ABA), the Nuggets (in the ABA and NBA), the Nets, the Spurs, the Clippers, the Pacers and the 76ers. His 879-685 record in 20 NBA seasons places him seventh all-time in victories. He also won a national championship at Kansas and went to the Final Four in one of his two years at UCLA. Brown, an assistant on Tomjanovich's 2000 Olympic team, will coach the USA Basketball senior national team in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico in August and, if it qualifies, in the Athens Olympics in 2004. "We had a good run," Brown said of his stay in Philadelphia. "I think it's time to get somebody else in here and maybe get a fresh look. This has been coming for a long time. I said to everybody I don't want to hold this franchise back. I thought in the middle of the season maybe it was time we needed a change, a fresh look. That's been on my mind awhile. "I had a clause I couldn't coach anywhere. When I visited with Ed, he said whatever I wanted to do, he was all for it; he just wanted me to be happy. I don't know. Episcopal High School hasn't called yet. My family loves Philly. But I can do whatever I want." From the Rockets' perspective, a decision might not be easy, particularly after Monday's interviews. "They went very well," Dawson said. "It's a process. But both interviews were very good. We're happy with the two guys we interviewed." Dunleavy had similar feelings after his 2 1/2-hour meeting with Dawson and Alexander. "I think it's a great job," Dunleavy said. "They have a lot of components (and) a lot of pieces in place to eventually win a championship. The two toughest spots on any roster are the 1 and the 5 (Steve Francis and Yao Ming). They have a lot of assets in place. They have an owner who seems very committed to doing whatever it takes to win. "I felt good about our conversation. Whether I get the job or don't get the job, I genuinely liked the meeting and the conversations." http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/1925787
How about Larry Brown as Head Coach and Mike Dunleavy as assistant? Since Brown may leave after a few years and Dunleavy would be in great position to be head coach after Brown leaves. Dunleavy obvious liked Rockets franchicse.
Why would Dunleavy take a job as an assistant for MAYBE a couple hundered thousand dollars in the hope he might get to coach in 4 or 5 years when he will very likely land the Atlanta head coaching job this offseason and clear $3 or $4 million???
This is also my fear, i've suggested the same combo a couple times but really, with Phili, Houston, NO, and Cleveland available no way the number 2 or 3 best coach available is going to sign on as an assistant. I still prefer Dunleavy as a better fit for this team but Brown is the master, so i'm fine with either. Neither one has one it all, both have coached in the finals... both can take us to the promised land...
I'm cool with Larry Brown coming in, but I must admit that him not being available for part of this summer because of Olympics commitments does sort of bother me. I don't want another year of 'the coach and team didn't have enough time to get on the same page' yada-yada-yada, and that's why we're in the lottery again.
Why would Dunleavy take a job as an assistant for MAYBE a couple hundered thousand dollars in the hope he might get to coach in 4 or 5 years when he will very likely land the Atlanta head coaching job this offseason and clear $3 or $4 million??? Isn't it obvious? Everyone in the world wants to coach the Rockets and they'll make the sacrifice of being second fiddle for the offchance they can take over in 5 years. Never mind the fact that its impossible to predict what will happen in 5 years or where the franchise will be. The world revolves around the Rockets so of course he would do it.
Rockets owner Les Alexander arrived in Dallas on Sunday to open talks with two prime candidates: Van Gundy and Dunleavy. Then on Monday, a coach Alexander has always liked -- Brown -- became available. If Alexander makes Brown his No. 1 target, as rival teams expect, Houston will be difficult for Brown to resist. Brown is a huge fan of Yao Ming dating to the 2000 Olympics, and he's very close with Rockets trainer Keith Jones, who might wield more influence than anyone in his position in the league. If those lures aren't sufficient, Brown would also be getting a Steve Francis-Cuttino Mobley backcourt to mold. This is the most attractive job out there and Brown, as the most accomplished coach out there, is a sensible fit. Brown would have preferred the North Carolina job, of course, but this is a handy fallback. Espn Wow, I really hope we get Brown.
