CHICAGO _ Nine years after he tried to hire him for a second stint as Bulls coach, John Paxson got his man.
In an out-of-the-blue announcement, the Bulls hired Doug Collins as senior adviser of basketball operations Tuesday morning. The former Bulls coach will report directly to Paxson.
"Doug will be great in this capacity for our organization. The position of 'senior adviser' has proven to work well around the NBA in recent years, and I am confident the same will hold true with the Bulls," Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "The fact that our relationship goes back more than 30 years certainly helps, but he is especially qualified to assist our leadership in rebuilding the Bulls."
Coincidentally, both Reinsdorf and Collins cited their strong friendship as why Collins pulled his name from Paxson's winding coach search that ultimately settled on Vinny Del Negro in 2008. Paxson had strongly advocated for Collins' hiring then.
The team release said "he will serve as an expert resource for the front office and coaching staff."
The addition will do nothing to quiet speculation on the futures of general manager Gar Forman and coach Fred Hoiberg. But the Tribune reported shortly after the season ended that the Reinsdorfs sought to broaden the front-office dialogue, possibly with additional hires. And sources said that, just like then, no changes are being considered.
In many ways, Collins, who has spent considerable time in the area since his son, Chris, took over the Northwestern program, will be tasked to replicate the success Jerry West had as a senior adviser with the Warriors. West is largely credited with nixing that organization's decision not to trade Klay Thompson for Kevin Love.
"People who know me know the respect that I have for Jerry, Michael (Reinsdorf), and the Chicago Bulls organization. I am looking forward to getting started and helping everyone," Collins said in a statement. "To be able to stay involved in the NBA and work with John, Gar, Fred and their respective staffs, while not having to leave my family and continuing to live in one of the greatest cities in the world _ the fit couldn't be any better for me at this point in my life."
Collins coached the Bulls from 1986-89 before then-general manager Jerry Krause shockingly fired him following a loss in the Eastern Conference finals. Krause and Jerry Reinsdorf hired Phil Jackson as Collins' successor.
Collins and Paxson have a close relationship. Paxson, who played for Collins, long has used Collins for guidance.
"We are pleased to have Doug return to the Bulls and have him join our front office. As our organization transitions into this next phase, we feel like Doug will bring valuable perspective with his vast knowledge of the NBA and the game of basketball," Paxson said in a statement.
"His enthusiasm and expertise make this a great fit for the Bulls. As an adviser, he will regularly contribute observations, insights and suggestions, and he will be part of conversations throughout this building. I know from talking to Doug he is excited to join us at this time, and we look forward to tapping into his experience to help improve this team."
Indeed, between his well-regarded basketball mind and strong, heart-on-sleeve personality, Collins' influence will be real. Collins, who most recently worked for ESPN and ABC and is in the media wing of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his broadcasting work, has over 40 years of basketball experience.
A former No. 1 overall pick and Olympian as a player, he went 442-407 as coach of the Bulls, Pistons, Wizards and 76ers. He also has front-office experience and, at 66, will be counted on to apply his previous turnaround experience to the Bulls' rebuild.
