Bulls sold on new coach Del Negro
Vinny Del Negro was the last of roughly 13 candidates to interview for the Bulls' coaching job.
By the time he was finished, there was very little debate about which direction to go. The Bulls quickly were convinced that the longtime point guard with no head-coaching experience was the right person for the job.
Del Negro will be introduced today at the United Center. He agreed to a two-year deal worth $4 million, plus an option for the third season, according to league sources.
The salary seems low compared to the $24 million over four years New York gave Mike D'Antoni, or the $18 million over four years Scott Skiles received from Milwaukee.
Despite the entry-level salary, a team source insisted fiscal responsibility had nothing to do with the decision. General manager John Paxson felt strongly that Del Negro was the best choice.
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"At some point, it's not what looks best on paper," said former Bulls center Will Perdue, who played with Del Negro in San Antonio. "Sometimes you've got to go with a gut feeling.
"I think Pax has kind of stepped out on a ledge here to take a chance. If things pay off like he thinks they will, then he looks like a genius. If they don't, then he's going to get a lot of heat."
Del Negro, 41, came to his Bulls interview with specific ideas on how to best utilize the current players' talents and suggested some areas where he may need help as a first-time coach.
Bringing him on as a lead assistant was discussed. But the Bulls decided that Del Negro would prosper as a head coach surrounded by a veteran staff.
He also came highly recommended by Phoenix Suns general manager Steve Kerr, even though Del Negro was not a finalist for the Suns' coaching vacancy.
"He interviewed really well for us," Kerr said. "I think he's got great potential as a head coach. Every team has different needs and different circumstances. For me, I felt like we needed somebody with a little experience. That's why I hired Terry (Porter).
"If Vinny had some experience, he would have been right in the mix with us. He's really impressive. Very bright, communicates well, passionate about teaching. I think Vinny and the young roster (the Bulls) have can grow together. I think it will be a good fit."
Del Negro spent last season as the Suns' assistant GM. Prior to that he was the team's player personnel director and a broadcaster. Until Kerr joined the Phoenix front office a year ago, he did not know Del Negro well.
"It became apparent very quickly that his passion was really in coaching and teaching," Kerr said. "He was really a scout for us. You could just tell, he'd watch games and talk about how a guy could get better and he would talk about strategy, game management.
"Rather than evaluating players, he was definitely more into the teaching aspect of it."
Perdue played with Del Negro on a Spurs team in the mid-1990s that also featured future head coaches Doc Rivers and Avery Johnson, plus Chuck Person, one of the other finalists for the Bulls' job.
"He was a very heady player. Definitely knows the game," Perdue said of Del Negro. "He did an excellent job during the game adjusting to the defense and how teams were playing us."
"He was always a solid guy. Got along with all his teammates, always looked out for other people and was always a guy that extended his hand to help if necessary."
Del Negro spent 12 years in the NBA playing for five different teams, logging six seasons in San Antonio. The Springfield, Mass., native spent his college days playing for Jim Valvano at North Carolina State.