Bulls eye Carlisle as next coach
CHICAGO (TICKER) —Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson said Wednesday he will continue to consider candidates for the team’s vacant coaching position, despite whispers that Rick Carlisle is the front-runner for the job.
According to a report in Thursday’s Chicago Tribune, two separate league sources have indicated that it’s Carlisle’s job to lose at this time.
Carlisle is a former coach of both the Detroit Pistons and, most recently, the Indiana Pacers.
Paxson, however, has given no indication that he is ready to make a hire and still is gathering background on other candidates, according to the Tribune.
Other names reportedly on Paxson’s radar are Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, Detroit assistant Michael Curry and former Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Dwane Casey.
According to the Tribune, Carlisle is targeting Casey as his lead assistant if he should land the head coaching job.
Sources also told the newspaper that there is little substance to the Internet rumor regarding Michigan State coach Tom Izzo as a serious candidate.
The position opened up after Chicago fired interim coach Jim Boylan on April 17, one day after the team completed a disappointing 33-49 season. Boylan had taken over on December 27, when coach Scott Skiles was dismissed following the Bulls’ 9-17 start.
