Pistons advisor Phil Jackson doesn’t want to coach the Nets
By Dan Feldman
"Although Jackson passed on the Nets’ job, a source with knowledge of the Hall of Fame coach’s thinking told ESPN.com that he remains open to the possibility of coaching again if he had "influence" over personnel, similar to the arrangement Miami gave to Pat Riley."
So Phil Jackson wants a front-office job. That won’t make his arrangement in Detroit awkward at all. Nope, not one bit.
If I were running team looking for a general manager and a coach – not saying the Pistons particularly – I would be thrilled to hire Jackson as a GM/coach on one condition: He must coach for a couple years and choose a protégé to serve as an assist coach and his eventual replacement. I wouldn’t completely trust giving a general manager job to Jackson, who has no front-office experience. But I would be willing to give it a try if it meant a couple years on the bench from one of the best coaches of all time. He could hire Brian Shaw, or anyone else he chooses, as his coach-in-waiting and slowly transition to the front office.
Aw, heck, maybe I am talking about the Pistons. Who wouldn’t take that arrangement at this point?