Breaking news has disrupted the news wires with an abrupt but preconceived resignation by Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan. It was reported that Sloan had been on the verge of resigning for weeks, but upper management had been back and forth trying to close a deal to keep the coach a few more years. On Monday Sloan had signed a one year extension only to be voided with the announcement of resignation on Thursday, February 10, 2011.

Sloan is the longest tenured coach in all major sports and decided on Thursday that it was time to move on and time for change. It is being reported that Sloan and all-star Deron Williams have been in disagreements for the past few weeks over play calling. Reports are that during Wednesdays night game versus the Chicago Bulls was the last straw that did it for Sloan. Towards the end of the game Williams had run a different play than what was called from the sidelines and that angered Sloan. Reportedly after Wednesday nights game Sloan had a meeting with his assistants and general manager Kevin O’Connor to let them know of his decision after being undermined again by his point guard. The Jazz abruptly canceled Thursdays practice with the coaches breaking news.

Sloan has been coaching the Utah Jazz for 23 seasons and took them to two NBA Championships, only to lose to the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan twice. Sloan is regarded as one of the NBA’s greatest all time coaches with a record of 1,221-803,  with a .603 winning percentage , and a playoff record of 98-104. Sloan is the 3rd most winning  coach of all time only behind Don Nelson and Lenny Wilkins. Sloan has coached all-time great players such as Karl Malone and John Stockton.

After a promising 15-5 start to the Jazz season they have recently fallen apart in the months of January and February and are struggling to find consistency on the floor. The Jazz are currently 6th in the Western Conference with an overall record of  31-23 and are looking to gain momentum to stay in the playoff race. As Sloan has mentioned before the Jazz have a plethora of talent, but it takes time to mesh as a new team with losing Carlos Boozer and adding Al Jefferson, but it seams as if the time and patience has worn down Sloan. Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will be taking the reigns of the Jazz hopefully to give a new spark to the team.

I want to personally congratulate Coach Sloan on all of his accomplishments and thank him for what he has done for the game and all the great memories he gave us, especially the two well fought NBA Finals matches versus the Chicago Bulls. I want to wish Sloan the best in his new endeavors and I hope to see him on the sidelines broadcasting some games in the future. Here is a video of Sloan’s career in basketball, a much appreciated video.

Dr. Hustle -- One last shout out to the great Jerry Sloan