Bulls Name Tim Floyd Coach

The Chicago Bulls finally dropped the "in-waiting" tag and officially made Tim Floyd their coach Friday.

"No other coach has had to step into a situation quite like this one," general manager Jerry Krause said. "It will be tough following a coach and a team like we've had and beginning a career under the odd challenges of this season."

"We believe in Tim Floyd and we are committed to providing him with whatever time and support it takes to build a winning program."

The move comes as the Bulls scramble to find replacements for their six-time championship team, which is rapidly disintegrating. Michael Jordan retired Wednesday, and Scottie Pippen and Luc Longley are just waiting for the lockout to officially end before leaving.

The former Iowa State coach's appointment was a matter of when, not if. A friend of Krause's, Floyd's name had been mentioned as Phil Jackson's successor for the past two seasons.

When he was introduced as the team's director of basketball operations in July, chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said Floyd would be the team's new coach if Jackson didn't want the job when the lockout ended. Jackson repeatedly had said he wouldn't return, and having the summer and fall off didn't change his mind.

Even after Jackson turned him down a final time, Reinsdorf held off on Floyd until he could talk to Jordan. Jordan said he wouldn't play for anyone but Jackson, then later softened that stance.

But now Jordan is gone, and the Bulls are embarking on a huge rebuilding effort. Despite how difficult the job is going to be, Floyd said he's looking forward to it.

"I've learned how much the fans of Chicago love their basketball and love their Bulls," said Floyd, who will drop his director of basketball operations title. "As we begin a new chapter together, the fans can be sure that I will commit every ounce of my energy and do my best."

Floyd has a solid record as a college coach, but he doesn't have any NBexperience. He plans to run the same systems as Jackson, including the tricky triangle offense, and all of Jackson's assistants except Jimmy Rodgers are still on staff. Rodgers left before Floyd was hired.

Floyd was 243-130 during his college coaching career and his only losing season (12-18) was his last one. He was 81-47 in four years at Iowa State and was runner-up for The Associated Press' national coach of the year in 1995-96, when the Cyclones finished 24-9 despite losing four starters.

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