Collins pulls out of Bulls coaching bid

Despite numerous reports last week that Doug Collins had agreed to return as head coach of the Bulls -- 19 years after he was fired from the position -- it quickly became apparent that maybe Collins wasn't the perfect fit.

Both sides claimed they would wait until Collins' broadcast duties at the Western Conference finals ended before engaging in further discussions. The Lakers eliminated the Spurs last Thursday but still no word on Collins becoming coach.

In the meantime, general manager John Paxson continued to conduct interviews. Sacramento assistant Chuck Person returned for a second visit, and Suns assistant general manager Vinny Del Negro joined the fray this week, even though he has no coaching experience.

The Daily Herald reported in Friday's editions that Dwane Casey had an impressive second interview and may have moved past Collins as the front-runner for the job. Then Friday afternoon, Collins officially removed his name from consideration.

"The thought of it was exciting to me," Collins said during an appearance on WMVP 1000-AM. "The thought of being back in Chicago and being with the Bulls once again, it was exciting to think about.

"A few days went by and I just felt like, 'You know what, this is not a knockout. It's not home run.' For me to be able to jump into that again and do that, it has to be something that there is no indecision on whatsoever, and I just didn't feel that."

Paxson and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf both gave serious thought to offering the job to Collins but eventually decided it wouldn't work. There were concerns that Collins would wear down quickly, as he did during the first stint with the Bulls and again with Detroit from 1995-97.

There also were concerns that Collins wouldn't be the best fit for a young team about to add the No. 1 pick of the NBA draft.

Reinsdorf spoke about Collins before Friday's White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I was really appreciative of the fact that he was talking about doing it because I knew he could do a great job," Reinsdorf said. "One of the things I was concerned about was we were so close, and my mother always used to tell me don't be in business with friends and relatives. I really wasn't sure it was a good idea for him.

"I was pretty much willing to go along with it, but I just wanted to be sure this is really what he wanted to do. So I said, 'Take some time and think about it.' And then he called me today and said 'Kathy and I have thought about it, talked it over, it really isn't the right thing.' "

Collins' firing in 1989 was one of the most controversial episodes in franchise history because it happened a few weeks after the Bulls reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 13 years. Phil Jackson was hired as the replacement and led the Bulls to six championships.

Despite the split, Collins and Reinsdorf remained close over the years and used their friendship as a reason to abandon the idea of Collins' return.

"When I initially spoke with Pax and Jerry and everybody, there was an initial excitement," Collins said. "Then Jerry basically said to me about five days ago, 'Doug, I've got to think long and hard about this because I love you like a son and I don't know if I can hire my son to do this, because I don't want anything to ever happen where I would have to fire you again.

"I said, 'Jerry, I agree with that 100 percent. If there's one ounce of indecision, then we can't do this.' I think that's really what it came down to."

Collins, 56, said he initially offered to coach the Bulls after some prodding from his son Chris, because he didn't believe the team's coaching search was going well. Paxson was ready to offer the job to former Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni, but D'Antoni chose an offer from the Knicks instead.

"I picked up the phone and called Pax and that's how this sort of came about," Collins said, "Because just in seeing it from the outside, I hadn't seen anyone yet who had jumped out at John, that he was sold on yet. I said, 'Pax, if you don't have anybody you're sold on, talk to Jerry and give me a buzz.' That's how it all started."

Reinsdorf claimed to have no concerns about the length of the team's coaching search. The job has been vacant since interim coach Jim Boylan was dismissed April 17.

"I thought we might not have a coach before the draft (on June 26)," Reinsdorf said. "We weren't in any rush. It's important we make the right decision. It hasn't been that long. We'll get there."

Paxson plans to spend the weekend mulling his options, and the Bulls expect to have a coach in place next week. The leading candidates appear to be Casey, Del Negro and Person, though it's possible Paxson could have a surprise in store.

Former Detroit coach Flip Saunders is available, as is ex-Dallas coach Avery Johnson. Broadcaster Mark Jackson, Utah assistant Tyrone Corbin and Jazz part-time assistant Jeff Hornacek all have interviewed for the job.

It doesn't appear likely the Bulls will wait for any coaches currently working in the NBA Finals.