Jackson says chances of coaching comeback are 'slim and none'

Phil Jackson downplayed the idea of a comeback to the NBA sidelines. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment)

By Ben Golliver

Phil Jackson says his brief dalliance with the Lakers should not be construed as an indication of a forthcoming comeback to coaching.

"The chances are slim and none probably," Jackson told TMZSports.com in a video interview. "I really wasn't looking to coach again. That one was happenstance and it just came about."

On Nov. 11, the Lakers contacted Jackson shortly after firing coach Mike Brown following a 1-4 start. Jackson was initially seen as the leading candidate and Lakers fans expressed their support for him by chanting "We Want Phil!" at the Staples Center.

Jackson, 67, has won 11 titles as a coach, including five in Los Angeles, but the Lakers opted to hire former Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni instead, waking Jackson in the middle of the night to inform him of the move. Lakers great Magic Johnson said he was in "mourning" over the decision while Jackson's agent and his longtime assistant Kurt Rambis both had harsh words for Lakers management. Initially, Jackson was said to be stunned by the turn of events, but he indicated to TMZSports.com that there were no lasting hard feelings.

"Well, we never discussed any terms, so there was never anything that was unfair," Jackson said. "It was just a midnight coup. It was kind of weird."

Jackson, who is 1155-485 (.704) over 20 seasons, has not coached since the end of the 2010-11 season.