Coach Vinny Twists In The Wind

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 29, 2009 3:40PM

As reports surfaced yesterday that Coach Vinny was on the way out - just as soon as the Bulls' front office got its act together to find a replacement - now comes the standard silence from management. For his part, Del Negro is still saying all the right coach things, though with a hint of "Dead Man Walking."

"I don't let it affect myself or the team," Del Negro said. "I focus on what I can control and that's our effort and preparation. It's a little frustrating because I know how hard the staff works and how prepared we are.

"It comes down to you're judged on wins and losses. I'm not pleased with our record. We've let a few slip away. We've dealt with a lot of things, but you can't use those as excuses. We have to play better and more consistently. I can take that."

Reports continue to swirl that the Bulls have tried to bend the ear of former coach Doug Collins, but he apparently won't listen out of respect for Del Negro. The Bulls have had a rough go of it to start the year, with a less than 100 percent Derrick Rose at the beginning of the season and losing Tyrus Thomas for an extended length of time just to name a few struggles. The team started the season 5-4 but watched it get shipwrecked during the notorious Circus Trip during which they went 1-5 and a stretch that saw them go 2-9. And last week's blowing of a 35-point lead to Sacramento seemed to be the death knell of Del Negro' stint.

But he's still standing, as is Bears Coach Lovie Smith who may or may not have saved his job with last night's victory over the Vikings (more on that in a few minutes). Perhaps the two of them can get together for a support group of sorts. The difference though, is whereas Coach Vinny was part of a surprising run in the playoffs last year for the over-achieving Bulls whereas Smith has led the Bears to the Super Bowl, falling short and failing to get a (supposedly) talented team back to that level. Either way, even as Del Negro survived the traditional Christmas Eve firing, here's hoping the Bulls get a move on and put Del Negro out of his misery soon (would Byron Scott be such a bad choice?).