That's all, Jazz: Sloan steps down
Utah head coach Jerry Sloan disputes a call during the second half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Bobcats. (Jan. 31, 2011) Credit: AP
SALT LAKE CITY - Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan, 68, stepped down Thursday after 23 seasons and 1,127 wins at the helm of the Utah Jazz, saying he simply ran out of energy to coach anymore.
"I had a feeling this time was the time to move on," said Sloan, the only NBA coach to win 1,000 games with one team. "Today is a new day. When I get this over with, I'll feel better. My time is up and it's time to move on."
Longtime assistant Phil Johnson, 69, also resigned. "I came with him and I'll leave with him," he said of Sloan.
Jazz assistant Tyrone Corbin was named the new coach, and team officials made it clear there is no "interim" tag next to his name. The moves came on the heels of Utah's loss to the Bulls, its 10th defeat in the last 14 games. Utah is 31-23.
General manager Kevin O'Connor said reports that star guard Deron Williams had said it was either "me or Sloan" were false and unfair to Williams.
Sloan, third on the all-time NBA wins list (1,221), recently signed a one-year contract extension to carry him through the 2011-12 season. - AP
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