INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Boylen said he wanted to put his “handprint’’ on the organization after the Bulls announced he would be taking over for Fred Hoiberg as the team’s new coach.
Assistant coach Randy Brown was the first to find out what that meant less than 24 hours after Boylen was put in charge.
In a bit of a surprising move, Brown, a longtime fixture in the organization, decided to resign Tuesday rather than take what he felt was a demotion by moving from the bench to the second row during games.
Boylen said he met with his coaches Monday night after they arrived in Indianapolis and told them of their new roles. When Brown objected, Boylen told him to “sleep on it.’’
Brown, a three-time champion with the Bulls from 1996 to ’98, told Boylen of his decision after the morning shootaround.
“Coach Brown didn’t think that was something he wanted to do, and he thought it was best for him and his family that he move on,’’ Boylen said. “I’m disappointed. I wanted coach Brown on our staff, but I understand. He’ll be missed, but a guy’s got to do what a guy’s gotta do, and he’s going to move on and we’re going to move on. We got games to play, and we’ve got players to develop. We’ve got a franchise to uphold.
“All I’ve been preaching for the last, what is it, 24 hours, 36 hours, whatever, is that we are going to uphold the concept of team, and we were going to have a commitment to everything we do. I think coach Brown felt from his position that it was something he couldn’t do, so I give him credit for that. And he’ll always be a special guy to me, and we’re moving on. . . . The train is moving out, so we gotta get going.’’
Boylen elevated assistant Nate Loenser to the bench, while director of player development Shawn Respert joins the staff as an assistant coach.
Dean Cooper comes to the Bulls after starting the season as an assistant coach with the team’s G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. Pete Myers and Karen Stack Umlauf round out the staff.
Boylen said Umlauf will be given more responsibility, including game preparation.
“I’m excited about my group,’’ Boylen said, “but I want to say again that I’m disappointed Randy is not with us.’’
Injury updates
Both Bobby Portis (right knee) and Kris Dunn (left knee) went through a full-contact practice Tuesday at the Advocate Center against members of the G-League Windy City Bulls.
Barring any setbacks, both could return by next week. Once Lauri Markkanen started participating in full-contact practice he came back in less than a week, but his injury was an upper-body one (right elbow).
Dunn is expected to return to his starting job, while Portis will return to his bench role.
Boylen will need to determine how Portis and Jabari Parker coexist off the bench, and if Portis can play the five if need be.
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A Holiday fan
Boylen had a simple explanation for why Justin Holiday starts over Parker.
“Holiday is a D-and-three guy that understands how I want to play and what I want,’’ Boylen said. “I have a great relationship with him, and he’s committed to the team, he’s committed to playing the right way, and I want him in that starting lineup.’’
