The Washington Wizards, hoping to soothe fans angered over the firing of
Michael Jordan, hired "hometown hero" Eddie Jordan as their new coach Thursday.
Jordan, 48, was a high school football and basketball star in Washington
before heading to college in New Jersey, where he led Rutgers to the Final Four
in 1976.
"Speaking from the heart, this is one of the happiest days of my life," said
Jordan, who has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the New
Jersey Nets. "To coach a team that I've admired, an organization that I've
followed since I was a young kid, I'm just thrilled."
Many fans became infuriated six weeks ago when the Wizards fired Michael
Jordan, who, after announcing his third retirement from playing basketball, was
expected to resume his duties as the team's director of basketball operations.
But Wizards owner Abe Pollin would not allow Jordan back into the front
office to continue the job he held before his two-year return to the court.
Pollin bristled Thursday at suggestions he hired a coach with Washington
roots to win back fans upset over the unexpected firing of the man widely
considered to be the best basketball player ever.
"I hired a hometown hero because he happened to be the best coach available,"
said Pollin, who tried unsuccessfully to lure high-profile NBA coaches Jeff Van
Gundy and Larry Brown to Washington before landing Jordan.
"He was not hired because he's a hometown boy. That's just a bonus."
The Wizards' attendance was among the lowest in the league until the wildly
popular Michael Jordan decided to return to the court. In the two years he
played in Washington, the club sold out every home game.
Eddie Jordan has only one full year of NBA head coaching experience, leading
the Sacramento Kings to a 27-55 record during the 1997-98 season. He takes over
a team that has not won a playoff game in 15 years.
"My method is solid," said Jordan, known as a disciplinarian. "I think the
guys will like the way we teach and practice. It's very important in your growth
-- that they love to come to work and that work ethic is a habit."
Jordan signed a four-year contract but financial terms were not released. He
takes over for Doug Collins, fired three weeks ago after the Wizards finished
37-45 and missed the postseason for the sixth straight year.
