Jerry Sloan is no longer coaching the Utah Jazz. Repeated clashes with star point guard Deron Williams have caused the longest tenured head coach in professional sports to inform Jazz management that he's taking his ball and going home.
Truth be told, I'm really not all that surprised. Despite being at the helm in Utah for more than 20 years, Sloan has won as many NBA championships as I have...none. This despite having the good fortune of coaching two of the 50 greatest players who ever played the game (Stockton & Malone) or two of the premier players in the league right now (DWill & Carlos Boozer).
Management allowing Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer and Wesley Matthews to leave the team with little in return definitely didn't help matters. However, Sloan's failure to adapt and modify his playbook to fit the guys on his roster ultimately led to his departure. Neither Al Jefferson or Paul Milsap are pick and roll players. Despite this fact, Sloan has attempted to try to pound the proverbial square peg into a round hole. and it has failed miserably.
Was Jerry Sloan a very good head coach? Sure. There is no question he will go down as one of the top 10 coaches in NBA history. Is his old school my way or the highway style conducive to winning basketball games and championships in the 21st century though? Clearly not and that is why he is no longer the head coach of the Utah Jazz.
Original Story:
http://sandiegosportsguy.com/2011/02/...
