Issel accepts buyout, resigns as coach, president of Nuggets
By JOHN MOSSMAN
AP Sports Writer
December 26, 2001
DENVER (AP) -- Since 1975, Dan Issel had been
synonymous with the Denver Nuggets, first as a
player, then as general manager, president and -- twice
-- as head coach.
That relationship ended Wednesday when Issel
accepted a buyout and resigned as president and
coach, two weeks after he was suspended for making an insensitive ethnic
remark to a spectator.
The announcement came after Issel and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe
finalized the details of Issel's departure in private meetings.
``I think, after a lot of soul-searching, Dan realized that perhaps coaching
wasn't for him,'' Vandeweghe said at a news conference.
``Dan went through a lot of emotions. He kind of came to terms with some
things in his life. For as long as I've known Dan, he's always done what's best
for the organization. This was entirely Dan's decision.''
Terms of the settlement were not released.
``I think the bottom line was, he wasn't happy, he wasn't happy coaching,''
center Raef LaFrentz said. ``That's the real reason.''
Assistant coach Mike Evans, who has been serving as interim coach, will
remain in charge of the team.
Issel was not at the press conference to explain his reasons for resigning.
He did, however, release a statement through the Nuggets that read:
``After talking with Kiki and other members of the organization, as well as my
family, I have decided it is best for the organization and for me to step aside.''
Issel had been on a leave of absence since Saturday, hours before he was to
return to coaching after a four-game suspension.
Issel made the remarks Dec. 11 as he walked off the court after a loss to the
Charlotte Hornets, the Nuggets' fifth in a row. He responded to a taunt from
the fan by yelling back, ``Go drink another beer, you Mexican ... ,'' adding an
expletive.
The next day, the team suspended Issel for four games without pay, costing
him more than $112,000.
Issel apologized to the Hispanic community in public and private, and to the
city of Denver and its residents.
Issel was to earn $2.5 million this year on a contract that would have expired
after next season.
This is the second time Issel has resigned as the Nuggets' coach. In 1995, he
resigned 34 games into his third season as coach. Issel also played for the
Nuggets for 10 seasons and was their general manager.
Issel's two-term coaching record in Denver was 180-208, making him the
third-winningest in club history.
Vandeweghe said he didn't believe Issel's suspension was the sole reason for
his resignation. Issel has had problems before with his players, including an
episode last season when the team boycotted a practice.
``Head coaching in this league is a lot of pressure,''
Vandeweghe said. ``I think Dec. 11 might have
just been the result of some of the pressures. We
had gone through a rough stretch where we had
lost a few in a row, and that builds up. His
decision, I don't think, had a lot to do with that
incident. I think it was more an overall thing.
``I did sense that Dan was troubled by some things
and, at times, a little frustrated. Dan being the competitor he is, when he's not
winning, he's frustrated.''
Asked why the Nuggets felt compelled to reach a settlement with a coach
who resigned, Vandeweghe said, ``A combination of reasons. I can't go into
the terms, but I think the Nuggets really feel that they didn't want Dan to walk
away completely. We felt it was the right thing to do.''
Vandeweghe said he hoped that, ``after a time period, Dan will remain with
the Nuggets in some capacity.''
Vandeweghe said the Nuggets players, informed of the decision before
Wednesday night's home game against Minnesota, had a ``mixed'' reaction.
``Some of the players were saddened by it because they had grown close to
Dan,'' Vandeweghe said. ``As competitors, most players like to have a
resolution, so I think they were happy that we had a resolution.''
Said LaFrentz, ``At least there's a sense of relief now. We know who our
coach is.''
LaFrentz, who clashed with Issel earlier in his career, insisted that ``this year
our relationship was good.''
The Nuggets lost their final five games under Issel, then won two straight
after he was suspended. They lost their next three games, however, and
brought a record of 9-17 into their game Wednesday night against Minnesota.
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