Posted: Monday, May 11, 2009, 3:48 PM | 3 comments |
 

DiLeo out as coach
options
 

A source close to the team has told the Inquirer that 76ers coach Tony DiLeo will not return as coach next season.

Earlier today, the Sixers announced that General Manager Ed Stefanski and DiLeo would sit down sometime this afternoon to discuss this past season and DiLeo's future.

The Sixers have announced a conference call scheduled for 4:30 p.m. where Stefanski is expected to announce that DiLeo will not return as coach.

The source said that DiLeo told Stefanski during the meeting that he did not want to be considered for the job. It is unclear whether Stefanski was still considering DiLeo or was poised to move on, anyway.

DiLeo took over for Maurice Cheeks on Dec. 13, 2008. He finished the season with a 32-27 record as head coach and seemed poised to return next season until the Sixers embarrassing season finale -- a 25-point loss to the Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic.

With the first decision made -- no DiLeo -- Stefanski will now focus on hiring DiLeo's replacement.

We'll update as more information becomes available.

--Kate

 
Posted by Kate Fagan @ 3:48 PM  Permalink | 3 comments
3
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:39 PM, 05/11/2009
    Great News... Now DiLeo can go back to what he does best(scouting players) and the team can bring in a good coach. I would love to see them pursue Doug Collins. He has a history of improving his teams in the 1st year by double-digit win totals, primarily by locking in defensively. Plus, he would be willing to allow Iguodala to play his true position of point forward. During Collins last 3 stops, he has formed the habit of using swingmen(Jordan, Pippen, Grant Hill and Jordan again in DC) as point forwards if that allows him to put his best 5 on the floor. Iguodala as the point forward with Thad & Brand as the prime scoring threats, a shooter who can defend at guard and a finisher at center will have this team being even better next year, especially if they improve on D. Build this team around those three players(Dala, Thad, Brand) with M16 possibly maturing enough to make it into a Big 4, surrounded by high-energy shooters who hustle and defend can lead this team into serious contention within the next 2-3 years.
    — rswknight
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:01 AM, 05/12/2009
    Have always liked Collins as a player, coach and analyst, would he be a good fit for the sixers? who knows, he would have them playing better "D" and help the shooters who remain on the team but hey, your guess is as good as mine! Don't know enough about the other coaching candidates to offer an opinion here. Brand needs to perform up to his contract, someone needs to pop the bubble around Iggys head (pheww) and we need a true center and at least one good shooter. Ahhh well, we can only hope!!!
    — FireChief
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:11 PM, 05/13/2009
    deepthroat sixer
    — jefuuetsukusura


3 comments
About John Mitchell
John Mitchell is in his first year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.

ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI

Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.

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