Bickerstaff will not return as Bobcats coach

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Jordan now gets a chance to hire a coach for his basketball team.

Jordan, part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, said Tuesday that Bernie Bickerstaff will not return as coach next season, although he will complete this one. He will be invited to stay with the team and remains an "integral part" of the franchise.

The third-year expansion team is 23-41 and last in the Southeast Division. Bickerstaff, also the general manager, has been credited with assembling a core of skilled players.

"I want him involved," Jordan said. "We just haven't decided if that's as general manager or president of basketball operations. I see him staying with the organization."

Bickerstaff, 67-161 in three seasons, said when he was first hired that he wanted to coach for only two or three years before becoming the full-time general manager. But when Jordan was brought in as a minority owner last spring and given the final say on basketball decisions, Bickerstaff's future was in doubt.

Jordan said it's too early to talk about the next coach.

"We haven't got to that point," he said. "Bernie is still going to finish out the season. When the season is over, he and I will sit down and have those type of conversations — who best suits the structure of players we have on this team."

Owner Bob Johnson indicated Jordan will have sole authority to hire the new coach.

"I have absolute confidence in Michael to make the decision," Johnson said.

Jordan, dressed in jeans and a red jacket, was confident the Bobcats, with a coach he hand-picks, will become a winner.

"What's the time frame on that? I'd be guessing to say five to six to seven years. We would hope sooner, but you never know," Jordan said. "It all depends on who that leader will be. If it was Michael Jordan, then it would be easy to answer."

Bickerstaff, who was not at Jordan's news conference and not immediately available for comment, was one of Johnson's first hires when he was awarded the team. The 62-year-old Bickerstaff has been the coach at Seattle, Denver and Washington, serving the dual role of coach and GM with the SuperSonics and Nuggets.