Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins quit after three seasons, though he’ll remain an adviser with the organization.
Collins has one year left on a four-year deal worth $4.5 million. The Sixers missed the playoffs after going 34-48.
“This is his decision,” team owner Josh Harris said Thursday in announcing the move. “He is not being pushed out.”
The Sixers’ season never really got going once the team lost newly acquired center Andrew Bynum to a season-ending knee injury, and the team is now set to begin a thorough rebuilding process. Collins will assist from the front office.
A four-time All-Star as a player in Philadelphia, Collins returned to the franchise in 2010 and guided them to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. Last year, the Sixers bounced the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the first round, then fell one win shy of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals.
In Collins’ final game on the bench, Philadelphia posted a 105-95 win over the Indiana Pacers.
“Whatever he wants to do, whatever makes him feel happy, you know what I’m saying,” Turner told reporters Wednesday when asked if he wanted Collins back. “You go through that type of year, go through that type of situation, strenuous and all of that. It’s all about what he decides to do. He has a lot of options and whatever’s the best decision for him.”