Stefanski contacts Doug Collins
An NBA source has confirmed that on Wednesday 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski reached out to the agent of Doug Collins to gauge Collins' interest in the team's coaching vacancy.
Stefanski contacts Doug Collins
An NBA source has confirmed that on Wednesday 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski reached out to the agent of Doug Collins to gauge Collins' interest in the team's coaching vacancy.
John Langel, Collins' agent, could not be reached for comment.
On April 15, Stefanski fired Eddie Jordan after only one season: The Sixers finished the year 27-55.
This move appears to be the first formal step taken by Stefanski, who to this point has said he was simply gathering information and sorting through lists and information.
The 58-year-old Collins was also a "player" in last season's coaching search. A year ago, although Collins was said to be interested in the vacancy, he was never contacted by Stefanski. Collins is currently an NBA analyst with TNT; he has coached the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, and Washington Wizards, but hasn't been on the sidelines since 2003.
Collins played for the Sixers from 1973-81.
--Kate
I am still shocked that Stafanski is employed by the 76ers. I know I'd be fired for less. Exactly HOW has he ADDED value to the franchise????— mebphila- Here is a crazy idea; why not hire a GM and coach with NO connection to Philadelphia, steal someone like Joe Dumars for GM and hope he hires either Bill Laimbeer, Jeff van Gundy, or Avery Johnson for coach. Doug Collins has not coached since 2003 and his last five seasons were, overall, nothing to write home about in terms of the playoffs: Detroit Pistons, 1995–1996, record of 46-36, but lost 3-0 in First Round of the Playoffs; Detroit Pistons, 1996–1997, record of 54-28, but lost 3-2 in first round of the playoffs; Detroit Pistons, 1997-1998, record of 21-24 when fired in February 1998; Washington Wizards, 2001–2002, record of 37-45, missed the playoffs, Washington Wizards, 2002–2003, record of 37-45, missed the playoffs, fired after the season ended. He has not coached since. Overall playoff record, including three seasons coaching Michael Jordan and the Bulls, 15-23. My guess: Stefanski wants to quiet the Larry Brown rumors by approaching a fan favorite of the Sixers and make it appear to Snider and Luukko that he is actively searching for a coach. I will be surprised if Stefanski is still employed by draft time.— chuckw
- I think Brown is coming on to replace Stefanski which I wholeheartedly agree with..He knows the talent in the league and knows what works and what doesn't. I am hoping we reach out to Bill Laimbeer as our new head coach..He was a hard nosed guy as a player, he has had success coaching in the women's league winning 3 straight titles and will be looking to really make a name for himself as a winning NBA coach. Forget an old recycled coach as the choice.. Bring in a fresh new guy and lets change the team chemistry and get a fresh new outlook.— bradco
- What does it really mean when you say that an anonymous NBA source has confirmed something? That could really be anyone and could be someone who has no actual knowledge of anything. Nothing is confirmed until either Collins or a named source on the Sixers comes out and says it is confirmed.— JimG
Comment removed.
Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004. He takes over the Sixers beat after covering the Temple men’s basketball team for the past three years and Temple football the past two seasons. Pompey also previously covered the Penn and Drexel men’s basketball team and Villanova football team after initially focusing on high school sports.
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh. Follow him on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers or reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
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.
