Bulls May Reel Collins Back In

ByABC News
May 29, 2008, 4:28 PM

May 29, 2008 -- The team which gave Doug Collins his first coaching job is on the verge of luring Collins back to the bench one more time.

Numerous Chicago media outlets reported Thursday that the Chicago Bulls will soon announce that Collins is leaving his successful television career to be the Bulls' new coach. Multiple sources close to the situation confirmed those reports to ESPN.

Earlier this month, when linked to the Phoenix Suns' opening, Collins emphatically told ESPN.com that he had "no interest" in coaching again.

Yet it appears that Collins' close relationships with Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson and owner Jerry Reinsdorf have led to an abrupt change of heart, enabling Chicago to continue its dramatic recovery from the disappointment of losing out to the New York Knicks in the race to hire Mike D'Antoni with a proven NBA winner. Last week, Chicago won the NBA's draft lottery despite posting the league's ninth-worst record this season.

Paxson insisted in a statement released Thursday afternoon that the sides have not finalized a deal, but it's believed that the team and Collins are merely waiting for the end of the Western Conference finals to make Collins' hiring official.

Doug Collins seems ticketed for the Bulls' sidelines, but John Paxson is the guy who will be in the crosshairs. Story "I have been in contact with Doug Collins in regard to our head coaching position," Paxson said. "Contrary to some reports that are currently out there, we have not reached an agreement. Right now, his commitment is covering the Western Conference finals for TNT. When that series concludes, we will continue our dialogue. In the meantime, I will continue to talk to other candidates and review our options."

Through a TNT spokesman, Collins said Thursday, "I have spoken with Bulls management recently about their head coaching vacancy and will resume conversations after the conclusion of my work for TNT in the Western Conference finals. There is no agreement in place."