Football
Associated Press 18y

Jazz owner reassures Sloan

SALT LAKE CITY - Jerry Sloan was reassured Wednesday that his 18-year run as coach of the Utah Jazz is not in jeopardy.

Sloan met with Jazz owner Larry Miller about a rumor that Miller had threatened to fire his longtime coach. The rumor was spurred by an outraged Miller walking across the court to talk to two of his team executives two days before, when the Jazz blew a 20-point lead against the Orlando Magic, and people hearing him say the word "fire."

Miller said he was upset that the Jazz were showing no "fire" on Monday. Utah won the game and Miller clarified his comments afterward.

But Sloan wanted to make sure Miller didn't mean "fire" - as in "terminate."

"I didn't say that. I don't know who told him that," Miller said before Wednesday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. "So he was nervous about that and I understand that if that's what he thought. So we spent 10 or 15 minutes just talking about stuff and reiterating the commitment we've always had."

Sloan, in his 18th season coaching the Jazz, has the longest tenure of any coach or manager in the four major leagues.

After the Jazz held off Minnesota 96-93 Wednesday, Sloan said he wanted to clarify things with Miller.

"I'm not looking for any guarantees. I've never looked for a guarantee," Sloan said. "I've always said, 'The day comes (when) you want me out of here, all you have to do is tell me and there won't be any hard feelings.'

"That's the way I've always tried to do business."

Miller has maintained that Sloan, who has the fifth-most wins in NBA coaching history, has the job until he doesn't want it.

"As far as I'm concerned, nothing has changed," Miller said. "One thing I always know about Jerry, he is absolutely trustworthy and always doing the best that he can."

Miller has been frustrated by the Jazz, who have been hovering around No. 9 in the race for the eight Western Conference playoff spots. The past week included a 15-point loss to Charlotte, which had the worst record in the league, and a 32-point loss at Seattle.

Miller had enough when the Jazz, who had led by 20 late in the third quarter, appeared to be about to lose another one. Miller called Jazz president Dennis Haslam and Kevin O'Connor, vice president of basketball operations, down from their seats late in the game.

Miller's exact words weren't clear, but enough people overheard "fire" that public speculation over Sloan's future had begun.

Miller said there was nothing to speculate.

"I want Jerry to coach this team," he said.

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