Sixers Hire Doug Collins As New Coach!
The 76ers agreed on a four-year deal with TV analyst Doug Collins to become their new coach, a source told ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan. Team president Ed Stefanski interviewed Collins on May 1, and he emerged as the leading candidate to replace the fired Eddie Jordan. The pool of candidates included former Mavricks coach Avery Johnson and Raptors coach Sam Mitchell.
Collins is 332-287 in coaching stints with the Bulls, Pistons and Wizards. The 76ers made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1973 draft, and he played eight seasons with the team.
The 58-year-old will need time to build a winner in Philadelphia that other coaches haven’t been afforded. Since Larry Brown left in 2003, four others have failed to coach more than 82 games for the organization.
Jordan, Stefanski’s first major coaching hire, flopped in his lone season. After first-round exits in the playoffs two straight seasons, the Sixers finished 27-55 and in the draft lottery.
