Phil Jackson Has No Plans to Return as NBA Coach

Despite receiving interest from both the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets this season, former head coach and 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson has no plans to return to coaching in 2013.

In fact, he has no plans to ever coach again.

According to a report from Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com, Jackson spoke briefly with the site about the possibility of coaching the Nets or waiting for a different job to open up.

“I have no intention of ever coaching again,” Jackson told SheridanHoops.com in a brief statement.

Well, that's that.

Jackson also just recently proposed to his longtime girlfriend and daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Jeanie. As married life approaches once again, Jackson must be ready to put the grind of the daily NBA bustle behind him forever. 

He's been out of basketball since 2011, when the Dallas Mavericks swept his Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals en route to the NBA title.

It appears the allure of marriage and life without job responsibilities is plenty fulfilling for Jackson, who had a deal with the Lakers in place earlier this season before being "shocked"  when the team decided to make Mike D'Antoni the head coach instead.

His name crept up in rumors again last month, when the Nets fired Avery Johnson. It looked like Brooklyn had Jackson at the top of its list, but now will continue to use P.J. Carlesimo in that role until further notice.

Already a Hall of Famer as of 2007, Jackson certainly can make a case for being the greatest head coach in NBA history (although guys named Michael and Kobe certainly helped).

If Jackson is indeed serious, he'll finish his coaching career with 1,155 wins and the highest winning percentage of any NBA coach in league history (.704). His 11 NBA championships are the most of any coach, and the Zen Master appears ready to put that side of his life into the vault.

Happy trails, coach. And enjoy the honeymoon!

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