College - Milligan College

The Chicago Bulls announced on July 3, 2008 that Del Harris, Bernie Bickerstaff and Bob Ociepka have been hired as assistant coaches on Vinny Del Negro’s coaching staff. In addition, Pete Myers will remain in his current role as assistant coach. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contracts were not announced.

“When I first accepted this position, I made it a top priority to surround myself with an experienced coaching staff. Now, with the hiring of Del Harris, Bernie Bickerstaff, Bob Ociepka and current assistant coach Pete Myers, you would be hard pressed to find a staff with the combined number of years experience that we have assembled,” stated Del Negro.

“I already have specific ideas on how to use their past experience in our efforts to get this team where we want it to be,” he added.

Harris, 71, comes to the Bulls after spending the last eight years with the Dallas Mavericks. Prior to spending last season as a team consultant, the Plainfield, Ind. native served seven seasons as an assistant coach under Don Nelson and Avery Johnson.

With more than 13-plus seasons of head coaching experience in the NBA, Harris owns a career record of 556-457 (.549) with the Houston Rockets (1979-83), Milwaukee Bucks (1987-1991) and the Los Angeles Lakers (1994-99). Some of his coaching highlights include leading his teams to the playoffs 11 times (38-50, .432), coaching the Rockets to the 1981 NBA Finals and winning the 1995 NBA Coach of the Year Award.