Despite the endorsements of both Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, Vinny Del Negro has been fired as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
There have been dozens of reports all season describing Del Negro as a dead man walking, perhaps the most telling sign is that the 2nd year head coach received no backup from the front office. A physical confrontation with Bulls Executive Vice-President of basketball operations certainly didn't help matters and pretty much solidified the notion that Del Negro would be relieved of his coaching duties at the season's end. The confrontation was a result of Del Negro exceeding Joakim Noah's limited minutes due to plantar fasciitis which the Bulls have had a bad history with. Going back a few years ago fan favorite Andres Nocioni developed plantar fasciitis and he was never the same.
All things considered I think Del Negro did a commendable job. Not only did he deal with the constant distraction of his questionable job status but he had many other obstacles as well. He dealt with the loss Ben Gordon in free agency, the loss of John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas in mid-season trades, and an inconsistent lineup as his best three players sustained major injuries during the season. After going on a ten game losing streak late in the season very few people thought the Bulls still had a chance of getting in the playoffs. Del Negro and his Bulls weathered the storm and broke into the postseason for the fifth time in six years, of course, having Derrick Rose didn't hurt either.
My guess is that the future is bright for Del Negro as a head coach in this league. I'm not sure if he'll be employed next season but definitely some time in the near future. The Bulls now turn their attention to signing a major free agent this summer and whoever that free agent is will factor into the next coaching choice significantly. According to Bulls GM Gar Forman the organization is in no rush to make any decisions.
