Will Jerry Sloan Ever Coach In The NBA Again?

According to SI.com Former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan has decided to pull out of the running for the Charlotte Bobcats head coaching vacancy. The Hall of Famer was reportedly among the final three candidates for the position. Brian Shaw appears to be the favorite for the job. Quin Snyder is also a candidate.

Sloan said he wasn’t disappointed in the situation:

“No, not at all. Whatever happens, happens. I don’t have any control over those things. I just do what we’ve got to do. If somebody calls me, I guess I’d listen to what they have to say. But I don’t have an agent, and if somebody calls I’d be willing to listen to them.”

He said he has not been contacted by either Portland or Orlando who also have coaching vacancies.

I get the sense Sloan knew he wasn’t going to get the Bobcats job so he took his name out on his own. In some ways it’s sad that a coach with his credentials can’t get a gig with the absolute worst team in the league. On the other hand I just don’t think that was the right job. Too much of a rebuilding project that at the age of 70 he wouldn’t be able to see through.

I just wonder if anyone will give him a coaching shot again. Despite his Hall of Fame credentials it’s almost like being with the Utah Jazz for 23 years and linked to John Stockton and Karl Malone is turning out to be a negative. Part of the reason he never received NBA coach of the year honors. It was the players more than him. It also doesn’t help his cause that he did quit during the 2011 season when he couldn’t connect with his star player Deron Williams. Considering most of the job these days is playing psychologist to these egotistical “stars”, something Sloan regularly refused to do, you have to think the chances of someone hiring him again could be slim. And that’s too bad. He needs basketball and basketball needs him. Here’s hoping someone gives him one more shot.