WASHINGTON Wizards dismiss Collins as coach

Doug Collins was fired three weeks after Michael Jordan was ousted.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- First Michael Jordan, now Doug Collins. And if Washington Wizards fans don't like it, they can get their money back.
Collins was fired as the Wizards' coach Friday, three weeks after Jordan was shown the door by owner Abe Pollin. The widely expected move happened sooner than expected -- Pollin originally had pledged to let Jordan's yet-to-be-hired replacement decide Collins' fate.
"With seven head coaching positions available in the league and with his future here in Washington in doubt, I felt that it was only fair that Doug be given a chance to pursue other interests," Pollin said in a statement Friday.
Promised refunds
Pollin went even further in a separate letter to season-ticket holders. After citing the unpopularity of his decision to dismiss Jordan, Pollin promised refunds to fans unhappy with his moves.
"My pledge to you: If you are not satisfied with the direction of our basketball franchise after this summer, I will refund your season-ticket deposit in full," Pollin wrote. A copy of the letter, dated June 2, was obtained by The Associated Press on Friday.
The Wizards are expecting a substantial drop in attendance this season after selling out 82 consecutive games during Jordan's second comeback as a player.
Jordan was the Wizards' president of basketball operations when he hired Collins in April 2001. Jordan then decided to return as a player, putting Collins in the unusual position of coaching the person who hired him. The Wizards went 37-45 both seasons and failed to make the playoffs.
Collins had two years remaining on his four-year contract, but his days were numbered once Pollin decided not to let Jordan, who had retired as a player again, return to the front office.
Collins was an obvious member of the Jordan camp in a franchise that had splintered into two groups -- one supporting the owner, the other supporting Jordan.
Last week, Pollin said the new president of basketball operations, whom he plans to hire before the June 26 draft, would handle Collins' situation and select the team's coach.
But the fact that Collins was still technically an employee made it awkward for Pollin to pursue some candidates. The Washington Post, citing sources, reported Friday that former Philadelphia coach Larry Brown canceled an interview for a potential front office-coaching position out of respect for Collins.
The Wizards said Pollin would have no further comment. In his letter to season-ticket holders, Pollin said he has "interviewed and will continue to interview the brightest available basketball minds in the business."
Draft preparations
Meanwhile, outgoing general manager Wes Unseld is in charge of draft preparations. Unseld, who held the title in name only while Jordan ran the team for 3 1/2 seasons, is taking a leave of absence after the draft for health reasons.
Collins coached Jordan and the Chicago Bulls from 1986-89 and the Detroit Pistons from 1995-98 and was working as a TV analyst when Jordan lured him back to the sidelines. His two seasons with the Wizards were his only two full seasons in which he did not lead his team to the playoffs.
"I was disappointed I wasn't able to take the team to the playoffs and give the fans of Washington a taste of what the playoff experience is all about," Collins said. "It was a great experience to coach in front of sellout crowds every night."