Clippers Eye Ford As New Coach

Chris Ford, former coach of the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, has become the leading candidate to coach the Los Angeles Clippers, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported Monday.

Clippers officials would not confirm the report, attributed to a source close to Ford.

No announcement of a coaching choice has been scheduled, Clippers director of communications Jill Wiggins said Monday.

The NBA team has said it planned to name a new coach early this week to succeed Bill Fitch, fired last spring after a 17-65 season.

Ford, who turned 50 Monday, was fired after Milwaukee finished 36-46 last season, his second with the Bucks. He coached five seasons in Boston for a 222-188 record before being replaced in 1995.

He played 10 seasons in the NBA with Boston and Detroit, all but a half-season with the Celtics.

Other coaching possibilities reported to be considered by the Clippers include one of Fitch's assistant coaches, Jim Brewer, and former Sacramento Kings coach Eddie Jordan, who was fired at the end of the 1997-98 season.

"I feel pretty good about my chances," Brewer said Sunday when contacted at his home.

An assistant to Fitch for four seasons, Brewer said: "I'd be very disappointed" if someone else gets the job.

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