Vinny Del Negro Learning on the Job

SACRAMENTO -- Vinny Del Negro is 10 games into his second season as the coach of the Chicago Bulls. He was hired in June 2009, despite never having been a head coach on any level. FanHouse caught up with Del Negro before Chicago's 101-87 win over the Kings on Tuesday night and talked to him about the challenges of his unique situation.

FanHouse: What have you learned as a coach this past year?

Vinny Del Negro: You're always trying to get better, always trying to learn. I was fortunate enough to play for a long time for some great coaches, but you have to do things the way you're comfortable with. I use the relationships I've built over the years, whether it's former teammates who are coaches or former coaches that I had, bouncing things off them and trying to improve.

It's a never-ending process. I don't care if you've done this one year, 10 years, 20 years -- you're always trying to find ways to help your team get better. But there's more of a comfort factor. I know the players better; they know me better and what's expected. I think our time management in practice has been better and the direction we're going is improving.

FH: What kind of a coach do you want to become?

Del Negro: That's going to evolve and it takes time. A lot of times patience is a key, not only with players but in my case with a young coach. I think we're building a good foundation. One of the things I've learned is you have to be yourself. You have to do what you're comfortable with. Whether it's practice or games.

I'm a very detail oriented person and I expect a lot from my guys. I expect them to play hard and understand what their job is on the team, and we have good guys. But I'm always trying to get better because I'm always trying to find ways to improve myself. If I do individually, it will help the team be more successful.

"I played with great players, and learned from them. Had great coaches, and learned from them. ... As far as coaching, though, you have to do it your own way."
- Vinny Del Negro FH: Has there been any advantage to not having coaching experience, maybe because you had no reputation or no negative reputation?

Del Negro: I don't think it hurts. But every situation is different. What I was fortunate to have last year and this year is a very experienced staff. When I took over the job it was late and I was fortunate to put together an experienced staff that could guide me a little bit last year and this year. I've had a staff that is supportive and helped guide me through some of the tough times.

It's a process. It just takes time. There's a lot thrown at you, a lot of quick decisions. We're always going to be second-guessed, but that's part of the business. I've been in basketball a long time as a player and as an executive, and as a coach, so I've seen all different aspects of it. That's an advantage I have, seeing all the different things that I've been able to do throughout my career.

FH: Was there -- or is there -- any insecurity or doubt about your lack of coaching experience?

Del Negro: I understand what you're saying, but I don't second-guess myself. You know what I mean? I go in, I prepare as hard as I possibly can. Some decisions I wish I could do over. Some I think we've done very well. And it's a learning process all the time.

I don't care how many years you have there are so many quick decisions to be made and that's why having an experienced staff has helped me. That's what I mean by that. There's a lot that goes into that. Playing, doing radio, doing TV, director of player personnel, assistant GM, being involved in all those different aspects -- it gives you another look at things. And then in this role I get another look. So I've been able to see things from different viewpoints and that's beneficial for me in this [coaching] role.

FH: So you view that as an advantage because maybe you don't come in with the tunnel vision of a coach?

Del Negro: I played with great players, and learned from them. Had great coaches, and learned from them. I've worked for great organizations. There are a lot of benefits from that. As far as coaching, though, you have to do it your own way. You have to find ways. Every team has different talent levels, different personalities. You try to manage personalities and put them in areas that they can be successful in.

FH: When did you get the coaching bug or is it something you've always been interested in doing?

Del Negro: When I retired I had a couple of coaches who approached me and asked if I'd be interested in working with them. At that time I felt like I had gotten into the TV thing, was living in Phoenix and was happy with the Phoenix Suns. Great organization. And then it just evolved from that into the front office.

I was around basketball all the time and people would talk and say 'Why don't you coach?' So, I was starting to get into it a little, and I had an opportunity to interview for a couple jobs. Fortunately, Jerry Reinsdorf, John Paxson and Gar Forman ... we had good meetings and it worked out.

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