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Saturday, June 2, 2001
Harris will not coach Cavs next season
Associated Press
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CLEVELAND -- Dallas assistant coach Del Harris is staying
with the Mavericks, forcing the Cleveland Cavaliers to go to Plan B
in their search for a new head coach.
|  | | Del Harris is turning down a chance to be a head coach again in order to attend to unfinished business in Dallas. |
Harris, 63, was considered the leading candidate to become the
next coach of the Cavs, who fired Randy Wittman on April 19
following a second straight losing season.
In a statement released by the Mavericks, Harris said he had
spoken with the Cavaliers several times in recent days about the
coaching vacancy and had been impressed with general manager Jim
Paxson, as well as the Cleveland organization.
"However, at this time, I feel it is better for me to withdraw
from consideration from this very important job, instead opting to
stay in Dallas to see if we can add to what we started here with
the Mavericks," said Harris, who won 556 games in 13-plus seasons
as an NBA head coach.
With Harris out of the picture, the Cavs are likely to focus on
Denver assistant John Lucas and Fordham head coach Bob Hill to
replace Wittman, who went 62-102 in two injury-filled seasons.
The Akron Beacon Journal reported Saturday that the Cavaliers interviewed Hill about a month ago.
Hill's financial manager and former agent, Bret Bearup,
confirmed Friday that Hill interviewed with the Cavaliers. Hill
last month denied talking to the team.
A phone message for Cavaliers spokesman Ed Markey was not
immediately returned.
Lucas has had one interview with Paxson, who has not revealed
his list of preferred candidates during the coaching search and was
not available for comment on Wednesday.
Markey said earlier this week there was "no movement expected
this week" in Cleveland's coaching search.
When Wittman was dismissed with one year left on his contract,
Paxson said he wanted a coach with NBA head coaching experience and
wished to have him in place for next week's pre-draft rookie camp
in Chicago.
That appears unlikely now that Harris has withdrawn his name.
Lucas and Hill both fit the criteria established by Paxson and
have expressed an interest in coming to Cleveland.
Lucas, 47, has four years of NBA head coaching experience. He
was with Philadelphia from 1994-96 and San Antonio from 1992-94,
leading the Spurs to a 94-49 record and two playoff appearances. He
also coached in the USBL.
Lucas, a former NBA player, has always had a good rapport with
his players and the young Cavs could benefit from his enthusiasm.
Hill, 52, has a 257-212 record in seven seasons coaching the New
York Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Spurs. He was fired in December
1996 after a 3-15 start in San Antonio. He also coached in the
Italian League and CBA.
Hill recently completed the second year of a 10-year deal which
pays him $350,000 per year at Fordham. He reportedly has a buyout
clause that would allow him to return to the pros.
Harris appeared to be a perfect fit for the Cavs, but the former
coach of the year said he wanted to remain with the Mavericks. They
went 53-29 this season and advanced to the Western Conference
semifinals before being eliminated in five games by the San Antonio
Spurs.
"The players are young, hardworking and are as easy a bunch to
work with as any coach could desire," he said. "The city, the
fans and the entire program are of the highest quality and my
family feels blessed to be here at this time. I am grateful for the
interest the Cavs showed in me and wish them the very best as they
build for the future."
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