Phil Jackson to Advise Detroit Pistons on New Head Coach

Incredibly, Phil Jackson will work as unpaid adviser to Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and GM Dumars as they look for Lawrence Frank’s replacement. Per the team website: “Phil Jackson is a friend and one of the best minds in the business,’ Gores said. ‘We are thrilled to have him as an adviser as we make some very important decisions for this franchise. Joe (Dumars) and I discussed this and he and I are in full agreement that this is a great opportunity.’ A spokesman for Gores indicated that this is an advisory role and not a formal position inside the Pistons organization. Joe Dumars, president of basketball operations, said he welcomes Jackson’s input. ‘Tom and I discussed using a consultant as part of our decision-making process in our search for a head coach and we feel that Phil Jackson is a great resource to use,’ Dumars said. ‘I look forward to talking with Phil next week.’ […] ‘Phil Jackson and Tom Gores are friends,’ said Mark Barnhill, a partner in Platinum Equity, Gores’ California-based private equity firm. ‘Based on that relationship, Phil has agreed to provide advice and counsel on the coaching search and immediate basketball needs. He will be in Detroit next week as a resource to Joe Dumars, who is leading the search. Phil’s role is to advise Joe, Tom and the ownership team, not to assume a formal position inside the Pistons organization,’ Barnhill said.”