Doug Collins

Lore & Background

Collins inherited a roster featuring Michael Jordan entering his third NBA season. The Bulls were coming off a disappointing 30–52 record, and the organization had fired their previous two coaches after just one year each. Collins implemented immediate improvements, showing a ten-game win increase in each of his first two seasons. By his second year, he led Chicago to a 50–32 record. Despite this success and his popularity among fans, Collins was fired in the summer of 1989. His tenure is defined by these rapid improvements and the pivotal role he played in developing a culture of winning around Jordan, even though he could not overcome the 'Bad Boys' Detroit Pistons in the conference finals.

In Their Own Story

The turnaround under Doug Collins began almost immediately after his hiring in May 1986. The team, featuring Michael Jordan who was entering his third season, had just finished a 30–52 campaign. Collins took charge and orchestrated a dramatic shift in fortunes, improving the win total by ten games in each of his first two seasons. By year two, the Bulls were a 50-win team. The climax of his tenure came in his third year when he guided Chicago to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in fifteen years. However, the run ended against their Central Division rival, the 'Bad Boys' Detroit Pistons. Despite the on-court success and the high regard in which he was held by the Chicago fanbase, Collins was let go in the summer of 1989, leaving behind a team that had finally re-established itself as a serious contender.

Reader's Guide

Collins coached the Bulls for three full seasons, from 1986 to 1989. His strategy focused on building a winning culture around Michael Jordan, who was entering his third season when Collins arrived. The team improved by ten games in both his first and second years, culminating in a 50–32 record in year two. In year three, the Bulls reached the Eastern Conference Finals, their best run in fifteen years. Although they were stopped by the Detroit Pistons, the achievement proved the franchise could compete at the highest level. Collins' tenure ended with his firing in summer 1989, despite his popularity and the team's success.

Did You Know?

• Collins was named head coach in May 1986 after the Bulls fired their previous two coaches, who each lasted only one season.
• Under Collins, the Bulls improved by exactly ten games in each of his first two seasons, reaching a 50–32 record in year two.
• Collins led Chicago to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in fifteen years during his third season as head coach.
• Despite leading the team to the conference finals and earning popularity in Chicago, Collins was fired in the summer of 1989.