Friday, May 30, 2003
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Larry Brown didn't change his mind this time.
Brown resigned as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday after six often-turbulent seasons in which he helped rebuild a struggling franchise.
A consummate teacher, Brown flirted with stepping down or taking another job several times during his tenure in Philadelphia only to stay each time. But Brown is convinced he and the 76ers needed a change now.
"This has been coming for a long time," Brown said at a news conference. "I kind of thought in the middle of the season that we needed a change, a fresh look. And that's been on my mind a while."
A Hall of Famer and one of basketball's most well-traveled coaches, Brown could be a candidate for coaching vacancies in Cleveland, Houston and elsewhere.
The 76ers released Brown from a contractual clause that prohibited him from coaching another NBA team if he left Philadelphia prematurely. Brown, 62, had two years remaining in his contract that paid him $6 million per season.
"A lot of jobs are open, but I just left a great one," Brown said. "I'm going to sit back, try to get with my family and figure out what's best for everybody."