Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 16, 1995 TAG: 9505160111
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FORT MILL, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
Bristow, 43, had hinted May 4 that he might not want to continue coaching the Hornets. His statements came immediately after the Chicago Bulls had eliminated Charlotte in the first round of the playoffs.
Bristow, appearing relaxed and upbeat Monday during a meeting with reporters at the Hornets' practice facility, said there was no one specific factor that led him to consider giving up his coaching job.
``There were just some things that I thought I had to think through,'' said Bristow, who has a 166-162 record in four seasons with Charlotte, his first head-coaching job. ``I needed maybe just a little space to get re-juiced up.
``I think I realized how much I do enjoy basketball and what it means to my life,'' said Bristow, the third and by far the most successful coach in the 7-year-old franchise's history.
Bristow said part of his frustration could be attributed to being ousted by the Bulls. The loss ended a season in which the Hornets set a franchise record with 50 victories.
``Chicago ruined our season,'' said the one-time Virginia Tech standout. ``There's no question that if it was any other team, we'd have won and gotten to the second round.''
Bristow has guided the Hornets to the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, but he has become a lightning rod for fans who think Charlotte should be better. Bristow said the fan and media scrutiny represented only a small part of his concerns about the job.
``Most people think that was the reason - what was bothering me,'' he said. ``That is a very, very, very small percentage. I've been able to handle that a lot better than I did in my first couple of years.''
Bristow, who met frequently with club owner George Shinn after the season ended, said he reached his decision to stay Monday morning after visiting with his mother in Richmond, Va.
Bristow's announcement means Shinn won't have a second major job opening in less than a week. Dave Twardzik, the team's director of player personnel, is leaving the Hornets to become the general manager of the Golden State Warriors.
Shinn said Bristow, who has two years remaining on his contract, did not use his frustration to attempt to renegotiate his deal. Nor did Bristow, who joined Charlotte in 1989 as vice president of basketball operations, ask to return to the front office, Shinn said.
Like Bristow, Shinn said the loss to the Bulls was a particularly difficult way to end the season.
``It took the breath out of everybody,'' Shinn said. ``It did to me, and it did to him, too.''
by CNB