Doug Collins enjoys being wanted more than coaching

by Matt Watson on Jul 2, 2009 2:16 AM EDT

A year after letting himself be courted by the Bulls before withdrawing from consideration (and months after manufacturing controversy by contradicting himself within hours regarding his candidacy for the 76ers' job), Collins is once again making headlines for announcing that he's not interested in a job.

From ESPN's Marc Stein:

Collins told ESPN.com on Wednesday night that he called Joe Dumars to thank the Pistons president for considering him and to inform him of his preference to stay in television. That would appear to leave an unobstructed path to the job for ex-Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, who just completed his first season in TV as an analyst for ESPN.

Sources close to the situation told ESPN that Johnson had his first substantive discussion with Dumars about the position earlier Wednesday.

Whether it's Johnson or someone else, expect the Pistons to act swiftly; Dumars told Eli Zaret earlier this week that he hopes to have a new coach in place by this coming Tuesday, when the Pistons touch down in Las Vegas and hold their first summer league practice.

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On a sidenote, it’s mildly amusing to me that Dumars wore the same shirt the day he fired Curry as he did the day he hired him.

by Matt Watson on Jul 2, 2009 3:18 AM EDT reply actions

Full circle.

by Jonathan on Jul 2, 2009 3:24 AM EDT reply actions

Like I said a couple of days ago…Collins is too emotionally unstable. Hell, I’ll say it now….dude’s a nutcase.

by V on Jul 2, 2009 6:23 AM EDT reply actions

Well, in this crap of an offseason, at least we’re gonna get a good coach. I won’t cry for Avery or Bill.

by brgulker on Jul 2, 2009 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

For once, I think we can all say, Thank You Doug!

We all know Joe loved him and he was probably going to become the coach. He just did us all a huge favor by giving us the better coach. Now Joe has no excuses if he doesn’t get Avery.

by Ali on Jul 2, 2009 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

Good for Collins. He’s so emotional that I think coaching is really physically hard on him, so it’s probably best that he stays in the broadcast booth (where I think he does a pretty solid job, except for maybe his man-crushes on certain players).

by Garrett on Jul 2, 2009 9:25 AM EDT reply actions

Joe Dumars must have had some good experiences with Collins when he played for him back in the days. But I’m with everyone else who thinks Collins had his chance and shouldn’t get another one. I do not think Collins is the best option and I’m glad he has turned the possibility of getting a coaching job.

With that said, I still think Van Gundy, Johnson, and even Porter would be better fits for Detroit.

by Diablo on Jul 2, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Terry Porter is not a good coach, he appreciates defense but he just isn’t a good coach. He proved it with his inability to adjust when Phoenix wasn’t responding to his methods, similar to Michael Curry and Iverson.

Avery has to be at the top, followed by Keuster (however you spell it) and then JVG. Keuster has coached under hall of fame coaches, and he knows what it takes to win a title. Not to mention he drew up all of Cleveland’s offense this past year (which looked eerily similar to Detroit’s), meaning he knows how to play defense and run an offense.

by Ali on Jul 2, 2009 10:37 PM EDT reply actions