Former Bulls HC Doug Collins is a finalist for the Hall of Fame Class of 2024

The ex-Bulls coach is one step closer to basketball immortality.

© Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Former Chicago Bulls head coach Doug Collins was named as one of the finalists for the induction into the 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He joins 13 other notable figures, who are now one step closer to basketball immortality.

2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists. 🏀🏆 #24HoopClass pic.twitter.com/97Kvix6J4d

— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) February 16, 2024

An important contributor to the game

After his basketball career was cut short due to injuries, Doug adjusted and worked in other aspects of basketball, including coaching and broadcasting, for three productive decades.

Joining him on the honorary slate are eight-time All-Star Vince Carter, 2004 Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, five-time champion Michael Cooper, six-time All-Star Walter Davis, former WNBA star Seimone Augustus, Milwaukee Badgers beloved mentor Bo Ryan, Pacers team governor Herb Simon and basketball legend Jerry West (as a contributor), among others.

The official inductees will be unveiled on Apr. 6 during the Final Four weekend of the upcoming NCAA Division I basketball tournament. The enshrinement ceremony will be held on Aug. 17 at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Remembering Doug as a Bulls mentor

Famously known for his time in Chicago, Doug served as the HC of the Bulls for three seasons (1986-1989) and helped the young squad led by Michael Jordan leap to competitive relevance.

The franchise saw disappointing eliminations and underperformances in the seasons before Collins. As such, the coaching takeover of Doug brought Chicago to a better position. In his three-year stretch as the team's head coach, the Bulls steadily saw vital improvements in their record and postseason progress. Ultimately, he was able to guide them in the 1989 Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 15 years.

Despite his promising leadership in the Bulls’ Conference Finals appearance in ‘89, he was intriguingly dismissed by the organization, which cleared the way for assistant Phil Jackson to take the Bulls' coaching job. Though he wasn't the one who eventually led the Bulls to its glorious heights, Doug is often credited for overseeing MJ’s initial ascension into a basketball mega superstar.

"Get the ball to Michael and everybody get the fuck out of the way..."

Doug Collins on "The Shot" after Michael Jordan hit the game-winner over Ehlo pic.twitter.com/XA9AHkpcm9

— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) April 27, 2020

Collins holds a 246-137 regular season win-loss record (.557% win rate) in his Chicago coaching tenure.

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