HoopsHype.com Rumors

CSNNW.com has learned that the Orlando Magic and new head coach Jacque Vaughn asked for permission to interview Griffin for their lead assistant position to which the Bulls denied the request. Apparently, the Bulls are only allowing him to interview for head coaching positions. Most of the time, a lead assistant role is the final step in becoming a legitimate head coaching candidate. Again, that's not always the path. However, a lead job for Griffin would most definitely be a step in the right direction. CSNNW.com

Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Coaching, Adrian Griffin, Jacque Vaughn 

Chris Haynes: The #Blazers have informed Chicago Bulls assistant coach Adrian Griffin that he will not be considered for their head coach opening. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

Chris Haynes: Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau on Adrian Griffin: "He's an excellent teacher, communicator & someone who has paid his dues. He's ready" #Blazers Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

Chris Haynes: Chicago Bulls assistant Adrian Griffin says he interviewed for the #Blazers head coach position yesterday. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

The initial pool of candidates is large -- bigger than the seven to 10 he estimated it would be last week -- and the majority are assistants on NBA teams. On Monday, Olshey interviewed Golden State assistant Michael Malone, Chicago assistant Adrian Griffin and former Orlando assistant Steve Clifford as well as Phoenix assistant Elston Turner. Atlanta assistant and former Oregon State standout Lester Conner also interviewed. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Adrian Griffin, Elston Turner, Michael Malone, Steve Clifford 

Ken Berger: Grizzlies asst Dave Joerger and Bulls asst Adrian Griffin join a long list of candidates who will interview for Portland job, sources say. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Adrian Griffin, Dave Joerger 

Dwain Price: Adrian Griffin started for the Mavs in the 2006 Finals. He was a joy to write about and talk to. The world needs more Adrian Griffins. Twitter

Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

Griffin, who turned 37 on Monday, put a stop to his 12-year NBA run — nine as a player and three as an assistant coach — to devote more time to his family and faith. After years chasing his goals — which included two playing stints with the Bulls, starting in the 2006 NBA Finals for the Mavericks and serving on Skiles' staff in Milwaukee and Thibodeau's here — Griffin might follow in his father's and brother's footsteps and become a minister. He certainly will be at home with his wife, Audrey, who holds a master's degree in education and is an aspiring R&B singer, and their four children. Chicago Tribune

Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

"Coaching is a great aspiration," Griffin said in a phone interview. "But it came down to what is the best thing for me to do as the head of my house and as a husband and a father. I wasn't there. The NBA is a great industry to be a part of, but it's demanding. It's hard to be a full-time husband and father and full-time coach. Something has to give. "My family has made so many sacrifices over the years when I was in the minor leagues and overseas. My kids are getting older. I feel like coaching might be in the cards one day when the kids are out of the house. But for the time being, I want to give myself to them like my father gave himself to me. My father was there every night. I know the impact he had on my life. And I felt like I wasn't giving that to my kids. And that bothered me a lot." Chicago Tribune

Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

"I've moved them every year," Griffin said. "My oldest daughter has never gone to the same school twice in a row. It's tough on your family. And my wife and I know the pressures and burden she has had to carry all these years of raising these four kids and uprooting every year. It took a toll on her and our marriage. At the end of the day, it didn't seem worth it. I wanted her to get the opportunity to pursue her goals and dreams. "I had to ask myself: If I do become a head coach, is it worth losing my family or not being there for them? Knowing the impact my father had on my life, it was an easy decision." Chicago Tribune

Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

KC Johnson: Just talked to Adrian Griffin. Several have called him head coaching material. He's walking to be a full-time husband and father to 4 kids. Twitter

Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

That said, the Bulls know that their No. 1 seed and Indiana’s No. 8 seed don’t mean much when the games begin. With or without Collison, the Pacers, who pushed the Bulls to the brink before coming up short in the first two games, are a dangerous young team. ‘‘I don’t think people realize how good a team Indiana is,’’ Griffin said. ‘‘We don’t want to sell them short and say we’re playing bad. I just think they’re playing great. Give them credit. They pushed us to the limit twice on our home court. We’ll try to return the favor and play well on their home court.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Adrian Griffin 

Alex Raskin: Brian Scalabrine told me that #Bulls assistant Adrian Griffin will be a head coach in the NBA. I asked, "Seton Hall?" Scal repeated, "NBA." Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Brian Scalabrine, Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

KC Johnson: Bulls will name Adrian Griffin an assistant coach soon. Class act. And one of the youngest bench coaches in the league at 36. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

Now, two years later, Griffin has beaten the odds again. Monday, he was on the verge of being hired as a bench coach for new Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. At 36, Griffin will become one of the youngest bench coaches in the NBA. "I am very fortunate,'' Griffin said. "I was just a player two years ago and now I'm a coach. It's very competitive to make an NBA team as a player, but it's even more competitive to become an NBA coach. There are only a few of them (usually five) on each team. "God has been good to me.'' Racine Journal-Times

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Adrian Griffin 

Griffin's move to the Bulls comes about three weeks before the Bucks open training camp. It isn't ideal timing. But Griffin said Bucks officials were more than willing to help him. "The Bucks were supportive and I appreciate them being so kind to me,'' Griffin said. "I owe a lot to Scott; he gave me my first coaching opportunity. Scott was great. "And John Hammond (the Bucks general manager) was excellent. I'm grateful to all of them.'' Racine Journal-Times

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Adrian Griffin 

Alex Kennedy: Adrian Griffin is emerging as the front-runner for the Bulls assistant coaching job but I'm also told a new candidate has entered the mix. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Coaching, Adrian Griffin 

The Bulls are getting closer to hiring an assistant coach. It looks like the candidates are former Bucks and Suns head coach Terry Porter, along with former Bulls forward Adrian Griffin. Griffin retired as a player a couple years ago and joined Scott Skiles’ coaching staff in Milwaukee. One issue the Bulls may be dealing with is whether or not the Bucks are willing to let Griffin leave. Porter has been out of the league since being fired by Phoenix during the 2008-09 season and appears ready to get back into coaching. Milwaukee assistant Kelvin Sampson, rumored to be a candidate, was never in the mix with the Bulls, according to multiple sources. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Chicago Bulls, Coaching, Terry Porter, Adrian Griffin 

Gery Woelfel: Bucks asst. coach Adrian Griifin has interviewed with the Bulls. Bulls expected to hire new asst. coach in the next several days. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Adrian Griffin