Why Doug Collins Will Be the Next 76ers Head Coach

With Tony DiLeo telling Ed Stefanski he prefers his old job as senior vice president and assistant general manager on Monday, the Sixers are now sexiest NBA head coaching position available this offseason.

With Byron Scott and Alvin Gentry re-signing with New Orleans and Phoenix respectively, and Eddie Jordon set to take the Sacramento Kings job as Flip Saunders takes his old spot in Washington, who will be the guy to take the 76ers to the next level?

In house, there are to individuals who could take the position if asked to do so: assistance coach Jim Lynam and scout Chris Ford.

There are four possible candidates are former NBA head coaches that are currently color analyst for NBA broadcasts: Doug Collins, Avery Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Fratello.

There are five current and former college coaches that could become candidates, whether reasonable or far out there: Villanova’s Jay Wright, Louisville’s Rick Pitino, Boston College’s Al Skinner, former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, and former Arizona coach Kevin O’Neill.

Other possible names that could be in the running for the 76ers: former Kings coach Reggie Theus, Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, and Mavericks executive Paul Westphal.

Before going nuts about the first important decision of the offseason there is process of elimination to be played.

We can cross off the name of Jay Wright, as his job at Villanova is visibly better than that of the Sixers.

After the tumultuous one and a half season in Sacramento, Reggie Theus would send the wrong message to Sixers faithful.

Al Skinner, a 76er in the 1978-1979 season, is still enjoying his perks as the current head coach of Boston College’s men’s basketball team, including his radio show and being a spokesperson for a local clothing store.

Step two to the head coach search would be rather or not he is a big enough name to draw interest to the organization.

Chris Ford and Jim Lynam will remain on the backburner of the search, as well as Kevin O’Neill retaining his current position as assistant coach and special assistant to the GM for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Step three is if the coach can instill disciple and yet not be an overbearing dictator.

Color commentators Avery Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Fratello will retain their current jobs while Billy Gillispie will remain unemployed at the current time.

Next is if they have any connection to the Philadephia 76ers. So long Rick Pitino and Paul Westphal.

We are now down to two noteworthy candidates to become the next head coach of the 76ers: Doug Collins, and Tom Thibodeau in the order of relevance to Sixers' history.

Tom Thibodeau, career NBA assistant coach and basketball defense guru, has recently helped the Celtics win the NBA championship as well as mold defenses of John Lucas and Jeff Van Gundy coached teams. He was an assistant coach during Lucas’ two seasons as Sixers head coach from 1994-1996.

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