CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls are bringing back former coach Doug Collins to help them rebuild, this time as senior adviser of basketball operations.
The team announced Tuesday he will serve as “an expert resource” for the front office and coaching staff and report directly to executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson.
A four-time All-Star for the Philadelphia 76ers whose career was cut short due to injuries, Collins coached Chicago from 1986-89. He was fired after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals and replaced by Phil Jackson. With Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen leading the way and Jackson on the sideline, the Bulls won six championships in the 1990s.
Paxson tried to hire Collins as coach in 2008. But Collins withdrew from consideration and the Bulls ultimately settled on Vinny Del Negro.