Philadelphia ? Larry Brown hasn’t officially coached a basketball game in nearly two years, but his head and heart remain in the game, and he said on Wednesday that he hoped to land a head coaching job, either in the NBA or in college, for next season.
“I’ve got to figure out if I can get a coaching job,” Brown said. “I want to get back so bad. I’m so bored.”
Twenty years ago tonight, the Kansas University team coached by Brown defeated Oklahoma in the NCAA championship game.
In January 2007, the 76ers hired Brown as their executive vice president, and he has assisted head coach Maurice Cheeks in evaluating players. Brown also has been a mainstay at Villanova practices, offering Jay Wright support and suggestions on offensive sets.
Although he has had coaching offers since he was fired after one tumultuous season with the New York Knicks in 2005-06, Brown has not found the right opportunity. Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers offered him an assistant job last year, as did Marquette coach Tom Crean, now the head coach at Indiana. Brown also interviewed for the Princeton job.
Brown coached the Sixers for six seasons, leading them to the 2001 NBA Finals. He was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Brown said he did not have a preference between the college and pro games. He just wants to coach again.
“Mo (Cheeks) has been great to me and allowed me to get involved,” the 67-year-old Brown said.
“I just miss it. I don’t miss the games so much, but I miss being around the coaches and the players. I still have something to offer. . … After my last experience (in New York), I just want to go where I can do a better job and move forward.”