Chicago Bulls hire Scott Skiles as head coach

CHICAGO -- Scott Skiles, a former player and coach of the Phoenix Suns, was hired Friday to replace the fired Bill Cartwright as coach of the struggling Bulls.

In a statement Friday, Bulls general manager John Paxson said the move "signals a new direction for this organization."

Skiles, who held his first practice with the Bulls on Friday, called the job "a challenge that I look forward to and I am eager to get at it."

Skiles, 39, had a 116-79 record as coach of the Suns from 1999-02, and was 5-8 in the playoffs. His in-the-face style reportedly created friction with some of his players, most notably Jason Kidd, before he quit in February 2002. He has not coached since.