Chicago Brings in a Familiar Face as Consultant
Apr 2, 2015 21:26:03 GMT -6
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Post by Chicago on Apr 2, 2015 21:26:03 GMT -6
Chicago Brings in a Familiar Face as Consultant
CHICAGO (AP) — Former longtime Chicago Bulls GM Xeneise is returning to the team as a consultant.
The future Hall of Fame GM will return effective immediately as a senior basketball adviser on a multi-year deal, the team announced Wednesday. Xeneise will provide high-level guidance and support to GM Dave Seer as well as serve as a sounding board and mentor to the coaching staff.
Xeneise said he's happy to be back with the organization, and will do whatever he's asked for the team he called home for years. He spoke at length with Seer, the coaching staff and several peers before coming to the decision.
"Being in basketball has kind of saved my life over the years" Xeneise said on Chicago sports radio network. "You feel like you just don't know what to do with yourself being away from it for a couple of months - I couldn't see not returning to the Bulls when I needed a fix of basketball. They're the only team I can imagine myself with."
(GM Dave Seer and newly appointed consultant Xeneise arriving at the arena earlier today)
Bulls GM Seer said Xeneise will become a key cog in the organization's efforts to build a championship team once again.
"It takes a lot to ask for help. It takes even more to ask for help from your predecessor, and someone with whom a relationship wasn't always easy." Seer went on to explain how the former Bulls GM would compliment him. "Anyone who knows me know I'm fearless with change probably to a fault, Xeneise is a proven master of team building, coaching strategies and culture setting - having him here to provide stability in the face of an ever changing roster will be crucial to our success."
The veteran GM downplayed his arrival, "I don't have all the answers," Xeneise said. "Seer has asked me to come and help . I'm not positive I can, but I'm willing to try."
Xeneise managed the Chicago Bulls for 13 full seasons - leading the team to the playoffs 12 times and winning the ABCA Championship twice. In his first off-season with the Bulls, new GM Dave Seer has overhauled the roster and coaching staff top to bottom. Xeneise won't find much in the way of familiar faces, but everyone is hoping the wins will remain as the one constant.
Xeneise resigned in June 2026 after the Bulls exited in the 2nd round of the playoffs versus the Boca Juniors. He said at the time that he didn't have the energy to GM anymore, and that the playoff exits were getting tougher and tougher to handle. While he acknowledges he still wants the break from the grind of the GM role, he admits he can't make a complete break from basketball.
The sports world has seen these type of arrangements fail before - the Toronto Raptors once promoted former GM Bryan Colangelo to a senior role and brought in his former protege Masai Ujiri as GM. The relationship was tenuous and frayed from the start, it lasted only a few months before Colangelo was forced to resign. The Chicago Bulls are hoping for a better outcome with their experiment, time will tell if it works, but it's safe to say the league will be eager to watch the scenario play out.
CHICAGO (AP) — Former longtime Chicago Bulls GM Xeneise is returning to the team as a consultant.
The future Hall of Fame GM will return effective immediately as a senior basketball adviser on a multi-year deal, the team announced Wednesday. Xeneise will provide high-level guidance and support to GM Dave Seer as well as serve as a sounding board and mentor to the coaching staff.
Xeneise said he's happy to be back with the organization, and will do whatever he's asked for the team he called home for years. He spoke at length with Seer, the coaching staff and several peers before coming to the decision.
"Being in basketball has kind of saved my life over the years" Xeneise said on Chicago sports radio network. "You feel like you just don't know what to do with yourself being away from it for a couple of months - I couldn't see not returning to the Bulls when I needed a fix of basketball. They're the only team I can imagine myself with."
(GM Dave Seer and newly appointed consultant Xeneise arriving at the arena earlier today)
Bulls GM Seer said Xeneise will become a key cog in the organization's efforts to build a championship team once again.
"It takes a lot to ask for help. It takes even more to ask for help from your predecessor, and someone with whom a relationship wasn't always easy." Seer went on to explain how the former Bulls GM would compliment him. "Anyone who knows me know I'm fearless with change probably to a fault, Xeneise is a proven master of team building, coaching strategies and culture setting - having him here to provide stability in the face of an ever changing roster will be crucial to our success."
The veteran GM downplayed his arrival, "I don't have all the answers," Xeneise said. "Seer has asked me to come and help . I'm not positive I can, but I'm willing to try."
Xeneise managed the Chicago Bulls for 13 full seasons - leading the team to the playoffs 12 times and winning the ABCA Championship twice. In his first off-season with the Bulls, new GM Dave Seer has overhauled the roster and coaching staff top to bottom. Xeneise won't find much in the way of familiar faces, but everyone is hoping the wins will remain as the one constant.
Xeneise resigned in June 2026 after the Bulls exited in the 2nd round of the playoffs versus the Boca Juniors. He said at the time that he didn't have the energy to GM anymore, and that the playoff exits were getting tougher and tougher to handle. While he acknowledges he still wants the break from the grind of the GM role, he admits he can't make a complete break from basketball.
The sports world has seen these type of arrangements fail before - the Toronto Raptors once promoted former GM Bryan Colangelo to a senior role and brought in his former protege Masai Ujiri as GM. The relationship was tenuous and frayed from the start, it lasted only a few months before Colangelo was forced to resign. The Chicago Bulls are hoping for a better outcome with their experiment, time will tell if it works, but it's safe to say the league will be eager to watch the scenario play out.
