The Bulls, as expected, fired coach Stan Albeck Monday, paving the way for the hiring of Doug Collins later in the week.
Bulls` owner Jerry Reinsdorf issued a statement announcing Albeck`s firing. A short while later, Albeck fired back.
”It`s not fair,” said Albeck, who led the Bulls into the playoffs with a 30-52 record despite losing superstar Michael Jordan for 64 games. ”I think it was completely uncalled for, but I`m probably biased. With the number of injuries we had–well, it was an absolute bizarre year.”
”First of all, let me say there is no question he is a competent NBA coach,” Reinsdorf said. ”When we first got together, I thought we had a common understanding of how the game should be played. It`s obvious his concept is not the same as mine. That`s not to say I`m right. But I bought this team because I want to see basketball played a certain way. And I want to try it.
”I blame myself totally for the lack of understanding. I couldn`t tell Stan to change his coaching style that has been so successful. My mistake was in not ascertaining this difference in the beginning.”
Albeck charged that the dismissal was handled without ”any sense of dignity, any sense of respect or sensitivity.” He compared it to the recent controversy regarding whether White Sox manager Tony LaRussa would be fired. Reinsdorf is chairman of the board of the White Sox, who retained LaRussa.
”It`s the first time I`ve ever been fired,” he said. ”I came here with the greatest of expectations, and now I feel shortchanged because I never had a full deck to play with. . . . not to have the opportunity to come back and continue what we started, that`s what`s disappointing. . . . I`m stunned and shocked. I`d programmed us for 40 to 50 wins next year.”
In his statement, Reinsdorf said: ”We feel that we are releasing a competent NBA coach who has shown class and character through a difficult season. We wish Stan the best in his future endeavors and will of course honor the remaining year of his contract.
”The club is now free to pursue a man we believe can be an outstanding coach for many years to come,” the statement continued, an apparent reference to Collins. ”We will make every effort to sign that person in the future.”
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Reinsdorf hopes to have Collins signed by the end of the week.
Albeck, who turned 55 Saturday, was informed of the decision Sunday night in a meeting with Reinsdorf.
”He indicated to me that we didn`t share the same basketball philosophy,” Albeck said. ”Of course, that masked a lot of different situations and is absolute–well, let`s just say he wants a Knicks-type team where they pass the ball five times and shoot 15-foot jump shots.”
Albeck accused Bulls` management of ”trying to run the team through the media.” He also charged vice president of basketball operations Jerry Krause with restricting his freedom and of driving a wedge between him and Reinsdorf. ”I really feel sorry for the Chicago fans,” Albeck said. ”They`re the best. They deserve the best. It`s difficult for me to sit here and see what`s going on.”
Albeck had two years left on his contract, with one year guaranteed at $250,000.
Collins has been working as a CBS-TV analyst. He has lived in Tempe, Ariz., since working as an assistant coach at Arizona State University in the 1983-84 season under Bob Weinhauer. That is his only coaching experience.
When Collins, 34, is named, he will be the Bulls` third coach in as many years and their ninth in 10 years. Two and a half months after Reinsdorf took control of the Bulls last year, he fired Kevin Loughery. Three weeks later, Albeck was named head coach after the Bulls also had inquired into the availability of Boston Celtic assistant Jimmy Rodgers.
Collins was an All-Stater at Benton (Ill.) High School and went on to star at Illinois State University. He was a member of the 1972 Olympic team and played eight years for the Philadelphia 76ers before a foot injury forced his retirement.