Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen said Tuesday his goal in the next few years is to become an NBA head coach, and he said it would be "great" if the team he coaches has Phil Jackson in the front office.
"It is (my goal to be head coach)," Pippen said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "I still enjoy the game. I'm around the game. I'm a guy that has always loved basketball, and I love being a part of it."
There were rumblings during the summer that the Orlando Magic were flirting with Jackson for a possible executive role with the understanding Pippen would be the coach, but Jackson withdrew from consideration and that scenario disappeared.
Asked if during the offseason he was close to becoming a coach, Pippen said: "No, I don't think so. I just think it was some rumors that got out there. Nothing really stuck. I can't say I sat down to talk to any team about being a head coach."
Pippen, who is an ambassador for the Chicago Bulls, was considered one of the greatest defensive forwards in NBA history, but he has no coaching experience. That may be why, ideally, Pippen would like to be reunited with Jackson. The two combined with Michael Jordan to win six titles with the Bulls in the 1990s.
"That would be great," Pippen said. "Phil is a great person, a great mind for the game and I know he still wants to be a part of the game, so if that scenario were to happen, yes, it would be great to be able to work for a guy who's been your mentor throughout your career."
