Jim Boylen agrees to contract extension with Bulls

Jim Boylen got off to a rocky start with the Chicago Bulls after he took over head coaching duties when Fred Hoiberg was fired 24 games into the season, but the team apparently has faith that he can turn things around going forward.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Friday that Boylen has agreed to a multi-year extension with the Bulls. Ownership feels he is the right coach to lead a young roster.

Bulls ownership and management consider Boylen the teacher the franchise needs now with a young roster, and loved the way he's been able to build relationships with players along with holding them accountable and coaching them hard. https://t.co/wadR7jG2pi

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 3, 2019

Chicago’s front office gave Boylen the freedom to run the team using his disciplinarian style from the time he took over for Hoiberg, and that nearly led to a mutiny among players early in the season. However, even with the Bulls winning just 22 games, the relationship between Boylen and his players clearly strengthened as the season went on. Boylen was fined at one point for standing up for his players, and Zach LaVine made a big statement when he offered to pay the fine.