Michael Jordan Clashed With Bulls Coach Over Missing Dean Smith’s Leadership Style
Every basketball dynasty is built not just on the shoulders of superstars, but on the guidance of coaches who know how to channel greatness. For Michael Jordan, the partnership with Phil Jackson is legendary—six championships, two three-peats, and a legacy that changed the NBA forever. But the story of how Jordan found his ideal coach is one of frustration, clashing philosophies, and a deep yearning for the steady leadership he once knew under Dean Smith at North Carolina.
A College Foundation: The Dean Smith Standard
Michael Jordan’s basketball journey began in earnest at the University of North Carolina, where legendary coach Dean Smith molded him into more than just an athlete. Smith’s approach was defined by discipline, composure, and a team-first mentality. He believed in structure, preparation, and treating every player with respect—no matter how talented.
For Jordan, Smith was more than a coach; he was a mentor who instilled values that would shape his career. Under Smith, Jordan learned the importance of humility, the power of collective effort, and the value of staying calm under pressure. These lessons would become the gold standard by which Jordan judged every coach he played for.
The NBA Arrival: Kevin Loughery’s Free Rein
When Jordan entered the NBA in 1984, he joined a Chicago Bulls franchise desperate for a new identity. His first coach, Kevin Loughery, was something of a player’s coach—someone who recognized Jordan’s unique talents and allowed him to play with freedom and creativity. Loughery’s style was loose and unrestrictive, giving Jordan the confidence to attack, improvise, and dazzle fans with his athleticism.
Jordan thrived in this environment, quickly establishing himself as a superstar. He appreciated Loughery’s trust and willingness to let him be himself on the court. For a young player trying to prove he belonged, this was exactly the support he needed.
But Loughery’s tenure was short-lived. The Bulls, still searching for a winning formula, decided to make a change. Jordan’s first taste of NBA coaching instability had arrived.
A Revolving Door: Stan Albeck and the Bulls’ Uncertainty
Stan Albeck took over next, bringing a different energy to the locker room. Albeck was experienced but faced challenges from the start. His relationship with Bulls general manager Jerry Krause was fraught with tension, and the team’s direction seemed uncertain. Albeck’s tenure lasted just one season, marked by internal discord and a lack of cohesion.
For Jordan, the instability was frustrating. He was already becoming the face of the franchise, but the constant coaching changes made it difficult to find the structure and leadership he craved—something he had taken for granted under Dean Smith.
The Doug Collins Era: Fire Without Focus
The Bulls’ next move was to hire Doug Collins, a former NBA All-Star with a deep understanding of the game. On paper, Collins seemed like the perfect fit: young, passionate, and able to relate to players from a firsthand perspective. But the reality was far more complicated.
Collins was known for his intensity and emotional approach. He wore his heart on his sleeve, coaching with a frenetic energy that was both infectious and exhausting. He was fiercely competitive, but his competitiveness often manifested in the wrong ways.
As biographer Roland Lazenby wrote in *Michael Jordan: The Life*, “Impulsive and emotional, Collins revealed a tendency to blame his players for losses, sometimes in bitter, caustic terms that only alienated them.” Instead of fostering unity, Collins’s style sometimes drove a wedge between him and his players.
Jordan’s teammates saw the problem and encouraged him to speak up. But Jordan, recalling how Magic Johnson had been criticized for challenging Lakers coach Paul Westhead, was hesitant to confront Collins directly. He was still young, still learning the politics of NBA locker rooms.
Yearning for Dean Smith’s Calm
What bothered Jordan most was the contrast between Collins and Dean Smith. Smith’s dignified calm had been a source of strength during Jordan’s college years. He never panicked, never lashed out, and always maintained composure—no matter the stakes. Collins, by comparison, was volatile. His sideline antics, emotional outbursts, and tendency to deflect blame clashed with everything Jordan valued in a leader.
Jordan found much of Collins’s behavior distasteful. While some in the Bulls organization fed off the coach’s energy, Jordan longed for the poise and steadiness that Smith had provided. The disconnect between player and coach grew, and their relationship became increasingly strained.
The Breaking Point: Change at the Top
Despite the tension, Collins did have success. He helped the Bulls progress in the playoffs, and he recognized Jordan’s greatness, often designing the offense around his star player. But the team’s ceiling seemed capped, and the emotional toll of Collins’s leadership style was becoming apparent.
Ahead of the 1989-90 season, Bulls management made a bold decision: Collins was out. The team needed a new direction, and Jerry Krause believed he had found the answer in Phil Jackson, Collins’s assistant and a coach with a radically different philosophy.
The Arrival of Phil Jackson: A New Chapter
Phil Jackson brought a Zen-like calm and a team-oriented approach reminiscent of Dean Smith. He implemented the triangle offense, encouraging ball movement, trust, and collective responsibility. Jackson’s focus on mindfulness, balance, and emotional intelligence resonated deeply with Jordan.
At first, Jordan was skeptical. He was used to carrying the offensive load, and Jackson’s system required him to share the spotlight. But Jackson’s steady leadership, respect for players, and ability to manage egos won Jordan over. The trust that had been missing since his college days was finally restored.
Legacy: The Right Coach at the Right Time
The results speak for themselves: under Jackson, Jordan and the Bulls won six championships in eight years, cementing their place as one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. Jackson became the coach synonymous with Jordan’s greatness, but the path to that partnership was anything but smooth.
Jordan’s early years in Chicago were defined by instability, clashing styles, and a persistent longing for the leadership he had known under Dean Smith. It was only when he found a coach who shared those values that he—and the Bulls—reached their full potential.
Conclusion: The Search for Stability
Michael Jordan’s journey is a testament to the importance of coaching in shaping not just players, but legacies. His clashes with early Bulls coaches were born from a desire for the steady, principled leadership he had experienced in college. In Phil Jackson, he finally found a coach who could harness his competitive fire and channel it into team success.
