Collins: 'I can't wait'
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Collins: 'I can't wait'
An enthusiastic Doug Collins said he was thrilled to be home and he returns to Philadelphia as the Sixers' 23rd head coach. Collins was the team's No. 1 overall pick in 1973.
"I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and go to work here," Collins said. "There are some nice young peices in this organization. This team two years in a row was in the playoffs and won 41 games two years ago.
"This is going to be a defensive-minded team, with speed, quickness, high energy. We have some players on the team that I am going to have to revitalize, get their joy in the game back. When I look at the Eastern Conference, everything is so fluid … I feel very strongly the Philadelphia 76ers can be very competitive. I promised Mr. Snider this is a team he will enjoy watch to play, compete, play passionately and give fans their money's worth. Nobody knows the pulse of the city as an athlete like I do. I know if you play hard, play with joy and play as a team these people will support you. I want people to come back, be happy about their team, build it day-by-day. I’m a builder. The bigger the challenge, the more it excites me. I’ve taken on challenges everywhere I’ve been."
Collins has been away from the NBA as a head coach since the 2002-03 season, but has been an analyst with TNT.
He said he knew about 4 years ago that he planned to get back into the league as a coach, but would only consider Philadelphia or Chicago.
"I feel very up to date that I know what’s going on," Collins said. "Trust me, I am in touch with the modern day player. I love to coach, I love to teach and I’m proud to be a 76er again."
Collins stressed defense as the key to the Sixers' turnaround:"Everywhere I've been, we're going to be a high energy, very intense defensive team," he said. "Something we work on every day in practice. Something that becomes our calling card and get us through the tough times."
Collins mentoned trying to get Elton Brand and Thadeus Young back on track.
"Elton is going to be critical and get him playing the way he is capable of playing," Collins said. "He has to get healthy and get him feeling good about himself. There are some pieces, now it’s up to me to put it together. Last year was a perfect storm. Everything that could go wrong did. Guys will be excited to play, go to work and be here with the Sixers."
Asked how much retooling the roster would need, Collins said, "I don't think that much." He also cautioned that there are no shortcuts or quick fixes.
"I’m going to put all ounces of my energy into this position," he said.
Collins declined to announce his staff, but did say that Aaron McKie will remain.
As for the first step, Collins said, "We’re talking about being relevant again. I want the 76ers to be on people’s tongues again. I want the 76ers to be the basketball team that people want to see. This city loves pro basketball. This is one of the signature franchises in the NBA … We have to build something that lasts. Have core guys for 7, 8, 9 years. When you start making quick fixes, it doesn’t last.”
On Jrue Holiday: “The NBA is a point-guard driven league. That’s why I am excited to have a terrific young point guard that we can build around.”
On coaching the current NBA player: "I consider myself a teacher first and foremost. I love to watch guys get better. To me, when you teach guys how to play, you can turn ownership over, guys feel comfortable ... All players want to be coached. The great players want to learn. Players today did not grow up with tough coaches like I did ... You have to be careful when you teach and coach, you have to be careful to do it in a positive way and not make it personal. That I want you to get better. Incredible balance in truth and love. Too much truth is no good, neither is too much love. Best players I have been around always wanted to know the truth.” He also said he expected his young team to practice often.
On whether he has a specific system: "You can’t say I’m going to take this group and play this way. You have to say, what do I have and build the team around that. Every year I’ve coached I’ve had a different system because I’ve never had the same team. Every year have to adjust and play to their personality."
Team president and general manager Ed Stefanski introduced Collins with this: "When we started this process, I mentioned that we wanted to find a coach who is a teacher, a motivator and a manager. They were the three items we were really looking for. When we met Doug and sat in his home for a long time, it became clear what a teacher he was … His knowledge of the game is second to none. He is very detail-oriented. No slippage, accountability, which is dear to my heart. He is like me, we dot the I’s and cross the T’s. From a motivational standpoint, his passion for the game how he will teach these guys and give them the extra they need, he has it in him."
Why is he holding up Eric Snow's jersey in the picture? Bring back the SNOW STORM as an assistant!! No one can take a charge and slow the pace down like the SNOW STORM!!— FetchDixon- Great to hear Doug, welcome back. I am even excited and yo Ed Stepanski no trading the no.2 pick. If Doug is anything like he is on TNT then the Sixers hired a excellent, insightful coach.— Jayjayhithard
"There are some nice young pieces in this organization." - I guess that leaves out Elton Brand.— EmanuelP- After reading what Doug had to say, I still am confused as to why they ever hired Jordon. He came in and made the statement, I am bringing the Princeton offense and we will run it regardless of the players. (A bit Andy Reid esque) They have now hired a coach that will actually build a system that best utilizes his players. Great job in getting him on board. Hopefully he will last a bit longer than Mo and bring some passion into the team and their game.....— sunnynsj
- What is his great track record everyone keeps talking about? He is the only coach who lost with Jordan, which he did in two different cities. His winning percentage when he coached the Wizards was lower than Eddie Jordan's when he coached the Wizards. He did help turn around Detroit, but with a huge assist from Grant Hill, who was one of the top players in the league at the time. I suspect he'll be better than Jordan, but only because he couldn't possibly be worse. I'd like to be more enthusiastic, but I don't really see what in his track record has people so excited.— JGT
Doug Collins is the man to motivate this team; a true leader. He was a joy to watch play, and he'll bring a ton of knowledge to the team. Go Doug!! Turn this team around!!— dogman5- Doug had a lot of good things to say at the press conference and his genuine positive energy was a breath of fresh air. There is a lot of work to be done. The 76ers' brass has to allow Doug to do his job, and back him up if problems arise with players. Since Larry Brown left, it has ALWAYS been the coach that got blamed and the players who got backed.— 76erfn
JGT -- he has a WINNING record overall. and has improved all three of his previous teams record but at least 10 wins. thats something to get excited about- Let us all hope that Doug Collins is "not like me" the me being Ed Stefanski. Let us hope instead that dotting the t's and crossing the i's -- which is what Ed has REALLY done to this team--- is not part of the Collins era.— flashgordon
What exactly do you expect winning percentage of a coach taking over a losing team. You figure the first season will be a losing one and possibly the second season. Collins record of turning teams around is enough to get excited. The one problem is his success only last for a few seasons.- GREAT TO SEE #20 ,COMING BACK TO COACH ,THO.. MY CAMPAIGN OF FIRING STIFFANSKI WILL CONTINUE!FIRE STIFFANSHI, HOPE HE DOESN'T TAKE CREDIT FOR COUG COMING IN.THIS SHOULDDA BEEN DONE 2 YEARS AGO,AND THEY KNOW IT!OL' STIFF MIGHT HAVE BEEN OK WITH ME IF HE HAD THE BALLS TO DI OI ,INSTEAD OF BRINGING MR PRINCETON LAME DUCK JORDAN IN.OK WE STUCK WITH BRAND,AND DALLYBUM.THERES SOME OTHER PLAYERS WE NEED TO CHANGE.BUT DOUG WILL SORT IT OUT!GLAD HE'S KEEPING AARON IN THE FOLD,AND HOPEFULLY,GET LAIMBEER IN IF HE DOESN'T GET A HEAD COACHING JOB.HE CAN REALLY SCHOOL THEM CENTERS AND FORWARDS!I'M PULLING 4 THE 6ERS,DO GET BETTER,AND CAN'T WAIT TILL THE 6ERS COME ON DOWN TO THE NEW AMWAY CENTER SO I CAN SEE EM 1ST HAND...BUT I'M NOT GONNA STOP WITH THE FIRE STIFFANSKI CAMPAIGN,BECAUSE,HE,SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MESS,O I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN KING,BUT HE'S BEEN RUN OUT ALREADT! NOW WE NEED A GM,WHO HAS TALENT SCOUT MENTALITY,SOME THING STIFF LACKS! FIRE STIFFANSKI NOW! FIRE STIFFANSKI NOW!.....WELCOME HOME COACH COLLINS!— t_darb_56
- Like Billy King, Ed Stefanski and Tony DiLeo will take at least partial credit for the Collins' hiring if the team finishes over .500 and makes the playoffs. If it is a failure, they will distance themselves from the hiring, just as they all distanced themselves from the Jordan hiring.— 76erfn
Thanks for a shot of ENTHUSIASM DOUG !!! johnnyu- no— tucole
Welcome home Doug....Get these kids to play the right way....
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
