Cartwright takes helm as Chicago Bulls head coach

Jet, Jan 21, 2002

Former Chicago Bulls player and assistant coach Bill Cartwright started his new career as head coach of the basketball team in a winning fashion leading his team to its first two-game winning streak since April.

Cartwright, who replaces Tim Floyd who resigned in December, is the Bulls' 14th full-time head coach and the first Black head coach in the franchise's history. He'll coach the team for the remainder of the season and has a contract for three more seasons if he and management mutually agree that he continue as head coach.

The former seven-foot center, whose career spans over 15 years, played as a Bull for six seasons (1988-1994) and was an essential part of the team's first three NBA championships.

He entered the NBA in 1979 as a first-round draft pick with the New York Knicks and in 1994 ended his playing career with the Seattle SuperSonics. As a player he appeared in 963 games, averaged 13.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Financial figures were not released but it has been reported that the former assistant coach of six seasons will receive a raise to the neighborhood of $1 million.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach a very talented group of young players who all have the potential for growth and the ability to develop into a great team," Cartwright said.