http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1084008819296550.xml Owner wants proven winner as new coach Saturday, May 08, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Hornets majority owner George Shinn wants his next coach to be experienced at managing players' egos and personalities. He also wants a person who's a proven winner in the NBA. Unlike last season, Shinn is willing to pay whatever it takes to hire that caliber of coach. The Hornets fired Coach Tim Floyd on Friday, three days after New Orleans lost its first-round playoffs series against the Miami Heat. Floyd had two years remaining on a three-year contract valued at $3.5 million. Shinn said his coaching search will begin immediately. "We're going to do what we have to do to get better," Shinn said. "I've got some candidates in mind, but the first call I will make will be to the league office to get more names and start conversations to call other people." Shinn said he wants someone who can take the franchise to the next level. The Hornets will compete in the Western Conference starting next season. "I have a bigger passion, with bigger dreams, to make this team successful," he said. "We're going to be looking for someone that has succeeded in the NBA. It's not just a person that can handle and manage Xs and Os." A list of potential candidates include former New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott, former Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello, Hornets assistant coach Alvin Gentry, New Jersey Nets assistant Brian Hill, who was a finalist for the job last year, and former Milwaukee Bucks coach George Karl, though he and guard Baron Davis are believed to have clashed at the 2002 World Basketball Championships. Karl was coach of the U.S. team, on which Davis played. Hornets forward George Lynch said its important that they hire the right coach. "He has to have NBA experience and be someone the guys are going to respect, starting with Baron," Lynch said. "He needs to have won, whether as a player, or as coach in the league, like a Byron Scott. "You've got to put coaches on the staff who are point guard oriented because Baron has a lot of potential that hasn't been tapped yet. The point guard has to have that relationship with the coach and believe in the system. But if he doesn't, it won't work. We're not playing in the East anymore, and playing .500 in the West isn't going to get it. I expect the team to make changes for us to get better." Forward Jamal Mashburn said Friday he found about Floyd's firing after seeing it announced on television at his home in New Orleans. "I think there is going to be a lot of movement with a bunch of guys, so it depends on what type of guy they get in here," Mashburn said. "We need a guy that we can respect his ability and past track record. You're only as good as your last game and only good as your credentials say. An experienced guy, I think, is the most important thing for this group." Shinn likely is to hire a general manager before selecting a coach. Current general manager Bob Bass announced his retirement effective June 30. But if the opportunity arises, the Hornets could hire a coach before finding Bass' replacement, Shinn said. Shinn declined to name potential coaching candidates, but did mentioned Gentry as a possibility. Gentry, who was added to Floyd's staff last summer, could not be reached Friday afternoon. During the playoff series against the Heat, Gentry said he wouldn't be interested if the job came open because of Floyd's firing. Shinn indicated he has received several inquires interested in the job. "We're going to look at all candidates, and you wouldn't believe the calls we have received," Shinn said. Bass, who made the recommendation to hire Floyd, will be involved in the search, along with assistant general manager Allan Bristow. Shinn said he's not interesting in hiring one person to assume the jobs of coach and general manager. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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