Former Bulls coach Doug Collins signed a multiyear contract Thursday with Turner Network Television to serve as an analyst on the cable outlet`s National Basketball Association games.
But that`s just the start, according to Collins. ”They want me to branch out,” he said. ”This is a great opportunity for me.”
To that end, Turner has plans to use Collins in its Goodwill Games coverage next year as well as World Cup soccer.
Collins, who was fired in a surprising and controversial move this summer after coaching the Bulls into the Eastern Conference finals, had worked as an analyst for CBS before joining the Bulls in 1986 and for TBS for the following season`s playoffs.
”Doug Collins is one of the most knowledgeable and talented individuals in professional basketball,” said Terrance McGuirk, a Turner Broadcasting official. ”His coaching record with the Bulls speaks for itself, and his broadcasting ability is outstanding. He will be a terrific addition to our strong lineup of announcers.”
Collins, who still has a year to go on his Bulls contract, joins Rick Barry and Steve Jones as Turner analysts for the 1989-90 season. They will rotate from TNT`s NBA coverage to TBS` Atlanta Hawks telecasts.
”I figure I`ll be doing 40 to 50 games this year,” said Collins of the 105 games Turner will have available. ”My son is a sophomore at Glenbrook North and I plan to watch him play a lot. I`ve already sent a schedule of his games to Atlanta.”
Collins also has an escape clause written into his Turner contract that will enable him to return to either coaching or adminstrative work. But a such a move, he emphasized, probably won`t come soon.
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”This was an opportunity to stay in the Chicago area,” said Collins.
”And that was very important to me.”