Source: Sixers begin talks with Collins
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Source: Sixers begin talks with Collins
Bob Cooney
The 76ers have started negotiations today with Doug Collins in hopes of making him the team’s next head coach, a league source told the Daily News.
Collins hasn’t coached in the NBA since 2003 and since has been an NBA analyst for TNT. He is currently working the Western Conference finals between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers for the network.
During his eight seasons as coach with the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards, the 58-year-old Collins compiled a 332-287 record. A four-time All-Star as a player, Collins was selected with the first overall pick by the Sixers in 1973 and played all eight of his injury-plagued NBA career in Philadelphia.
On Tuesday at the NBA Draft Lottery in Secaucus, N.J., president and general manager Ed Stefanski said that there could be a second round of interviews among the top three candidates – Collins, Avery Johnson and Sam Mitchell. “If there’s a second round (of interviews), it will be quicker, it will be in a timely fashion,” Stefanski said.
He then said: “There are two options: Bring some people back for a second interview or just go towards the candidate we feel most comfortable with.”
It appears they have chosen the latter. Stefanski met with chairman Ed Snider and chief operating officer Peter Luukko today and the decision was made to start the negotiations with Collins.
Stefanski will spend tomorrow and Friday in Chicago for the NBA Draft Combine.
Comment removed.
I cannot believe NO ONE is talking about Tom Thibodeau. He's known for defense but also knows offense, he knows what it takes to be a champion in this league, and he's not afraid to get in a guy's face. Stefanski is letting media pressure get to him and is jumping the gun on Collins. Why is the idea of a raw, high energy, championship coach not being discussed more amongst Sixers fans?— CT6ersfan- If it's Coach Collins for the next 3-5 years I'll be happy with that. By all accounts he has one of the shrewdest basketball minds available and Sixers' management seems inclined toward signing a big name. Add his Sixers roots into the mix and I believe he's a perfect fit. And bring back Steve Mix too. The broadcast team hasn't been the same without him.— Rick Wise Guy
I think Collins will teach more as oppose to just coach. Collins has been in big games as coach and player. I think his style fits in with this roster.- Avery Johnson lost his players because of his micromanaging. Anybody know why he hasn't been hired by a better team with more talent yet? There's almost half a dozen teams out there without a coach and twice as many in the last few years. And his voice is annoying!— CallerNo9
Look...I'm one of the most vocal Objector's on these boards, however, it appears as though Stiffanski will get at least a chance to hire a new coach and perhaps another season. Doug Collins is not a bad choice. Personally, Laimbeer or Thibodeau would be better, but then again, I'm just some Schmoe posting on a thread. If they hire Collins, I'm willing to sit tight and give the Sixers another season.- I like this choice..collins will be able to teach these kids how to play the right way...I think Avery Johnson would have been ok as well. Holiday and Turner in the backcourt, another high draft next year and a couple of trades and this team has a chance to get back on the right track.— lpjkr
- If 'losing his players' means having a career 74% win percentage, winning coach of the year, making the playoffs every season (and even winning a title as a player) then yeah, i suppose he did lose his players. As for why he hasn't been hired, the same can be said for Doug Collins because broadcasters almost always make more money than coaches. If ESPN was writing your checks, you probably wouldn't be in a hurry to go anywhere else, either
- Why Collins? It's not like he has any great record of accomplishment as a NBA coach. Ed's 4th mistake. 1. signing Brand 2. resigning Iggy and then not trading him to Houston and taking McGrady's contract 3. signing Jordan 4. signing Collins. Oh well, another few years of bad basketball.— jimmymack
- Big mistake.— brio
- Terrible, wait till the playoffs are over.— ConverseB24
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— combocancer1975- 76ers are crazy for wanting a washed up Collins! Collins was a mediocre coach many, many years ago and now we want him after not having coached in a long time? Wow! What idiots! Avery Johnson is clearly miles ahead of Collins. We should just wait til playoffs are over then pick a younger fresh canidate from a winning team. And we need to draft DeMarcus Cousins with our pick . . . gonna be a great star and we need a center badly!!— phinman007
Oh no, what will Stevie A Smith write about now? We know he's opposed to Collins. Can't wait for the next offering of drivel on this from him....- He couldnt win w Jordan....How the hell is he gonna win w this garbage (except for Evan Turner of course)??????— mjtp03
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.
