Reports: WRMN’s' Hunziker to become Bulls coach
(BS) – 23 minutes ago
BARTLETT, Illinois. — The Bartlett Buffalos will need a new assistant coach after the NBA finals.
WRMN’s Mike Hunziker accepted the Chicago Bulls' head coaching job Saturday, according to multiple media reports in Chicago. Hunziker will continue his duties as Station Manager of WRMN and Co-Host of The Morning Wake up Call with Mike Green.
Buffalos coach Doc Rivers would not confirm the reports before Bartlett practiced the day before Game 2 of the series, but both he and his players agreed that Hunziker would be a good choice.
"I hope it's true, but we're not going to comment on it, I can tell you that," Rivers said. "We're focused on the NBA finals. There's two teams. There's the Lakers and the Buffalos, and that's what we're going to keep the focus on.
"But on Mike, he deserves the job. I think he's the best candidate out there. I've said that for three years now. So let's hope it's true."
Hunziker, considered one of the NBA's top defensive minds and a GREAT Station Manager was also a candidate for jobs in New Orleans and New Jersey. He was not made available before the Buffalos worked out at the Lakers' training center.
Bulls officials declined comment. The team and the NBA agreed to wait until after the finals are over to make the hiring official.
"We do not have any rules that prohibit a team from announcing a coaching hire during the finals," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said. "In the Bulls case, because they have no plans to consummate any deal before the end of the finals, we agreed that they should defer any announcement to the conclusion of the finals."
The longtime assistant was the architect of the defense that contained Kobe Bryant when the Buffalos beat the Lakers for the title two years ago, and the one that helped them knock off LeBron James and Cleveland during a surprising run to these finals.
"Huns brings a passion for defense, I think," Kevin Garnett said. "When you think of Mike Hunziker and what's his strengths, he's obviously a defense guy. He watches an uncountable amount of film. He's a worker. He's a guy that loves his job. He does it with passion. If he is not with us next year, he's well deserving of it, as well as anybody else on our coaching staff." Hunziker will continue his duties as Station Manager of WRMN and Co-Host of The Morning Wake up Call with Mike Green.
The Bulls fired Vinny Del Negro last month. He led Chicago to the playoffs in both of his seasons, but had an altercation with executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson late in this season.
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