Johnny Bach, the defensive-minded assistant coach under Phil Jackson during the Bulls ‘ first three-peat, died Monday. He was 91.
Chicago Tribune:
Johnny Bach, the defensive-minded assistant coach under Phil Jackson during the Bulls’ first three-peat, died Monday. He was 91.
The coaching veteran of 56 years had a successful career on the collegiate and NBA levels.
A decorated war veteran, Bach drew widespread attention and credit for his defensive work and unconventional motivational tactics. Known as the architect of the Bulls’ “Doberman” defense, Bach would sprinkle his speeches with military references and drop the ace of spades — the card of death — after impressive outings.
“He encouraged me, worked with me and really helped me to mold my game,” former Bull Michael Jordan said Monday. “Without him, I don’t know that we would’ve won our first 3 championships. He was more than a coach to me. He was a great friend. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing.”
Born in Brooklyn in 1924, Bach served as a naval deck officer in World War II between stints at Fordham University in New York. He played 24 games with the Boston Celtics before Fordham hired him in 1950 as one of the nation’s youngest major college head coaches.
Bach spent 18 mostly successful seasons there before moving to Penn State for 10 seasons. During this stretch, legendary coach Henry Iba tabbed Bach to assist the 1972 U.S. Olympic team, which lost that controversial gold-medal game to Russia.
The bitter experience was one reason Bach took a one-year break from coaching to fly commercial planes after returning to Penn State. From there, Bach moved to the NBA and served as head coach for Golden State from 1983-86.
That’s when the Bulls’ general manager Jerry Krause hired Bach to assist Collins. Bach stayed with the Bulls past Collins’ firing, teaming with close friend Tex Winter during the first three-peat….
Source: Johnny Bach dies at 91; Michael Jordan: ‘He was more than a coach to me’