Bulls (Again) Seeking Coach. Calipari?

Del Negro was a .500 coach in two seasons
for the Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Bulls recently announced the firing of head coach Vinny Del Negro after two seasons in the Windy City.

There's nothing wrong with desiring the return of the Bulls to the former glory the city experienced during the Phil Jackson-Michael Jordan era. It's just not going to happen. There's not a single roster move, series of roster moves or any one coach that can revive the days of MJ, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr and John Paxson even though Paxson is viewed as the man in charge now. (I include Kerr and Paxson only because they hit two of the biggest shots in Bulls history.)

Despite the apparent rift between Paxson and Del Negro (for which Paxson has apologized), this move leaves me scratching my head. Del Negro's record wasn't overly successful (82-82 over two seasons), but he still guided Chicago to the playoffs in both seasons. Same can be said for Scott Skiles, now with the Milwaukee Bucks. Skiles coached for parts of two seasons and three full seasons. His record was 165-172 (.490) and three straight playoff spots. Both were escorted out of Chicago because they were deemed as failing to live up to over hyped expectations. But whoever said coaching is a fair occupation. No one.

Whoever Paxson decides as the next coach will have a nice core of young talent. Derrick Rose is a superstar in the making. Joakim Noah has evolved into a double-double machine and is also a budding star. Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich, James Johnson, Hakim Warrick. Oh, the talent is there. Talent that can be developed. Can't think of a coach that wouldn't want to have the chance to work with all that young talent. And there's the fact that Chicago has the cap room to add a max contract.

More money for Coach Cal?

Yesterday, Yahoo! Sports reveled that Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari was interested in the Bulls post. Calipari, in turn, told Andy Katz of ESPN that he had no interest in the job. Calipari also stated he had not been contacted nor was he even pursuing it. Quickly, the UK masses pulled together and are ow set to offer Calipari a raise and contract extension. A lot of good that would do. Calipari is already the highest paid college coach. What will throwing more money and offering an extension really do? Remember what Calipari said before leaving Memphis before bolting to Lexington?

Calipari's NBA record is less than stellar. In his 2+ years with the New Jersey Nets, Coach Cal compiled a 72-122 record (.390 winning percentage). Yes, he's been through the rigors of a couple of NBA seasons, but the only link to the Bulls is Derrick Rose.

And even that won't be good enough for Chicago. The record speaks for itself. No question Calipari has enough charisma to get the players attention, but even at times during this past season at Kentucky, star freshman John Wall appeared to completely ignore him. That doesn't speak too highly of Coach Cal either.

For the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls, we must keep this mind. He won't be given a long time to improve the team. Ask Del Negro. Results will be expected, especially when it comes to the playoffs.

You get two years to make it past the second round. If not, look for another opening.