Chris Ford interviews for vacant 76ers head coaching job

Chris Ford, the former head basketball coach at Brandeis and current Sixers scout, has interviewed for the vacant Philadelphia 76ers head coaching job. Ford coached at Brandeis University for two seasons, 2001-02 and 2002-03. (He also racked up 311 professional wins, by the way, in his ten-year NBA head coaching career, including stints with the Celtics, Bucks, and Clippers.) Ford left Brandeis in 2003 to coach the Sixers on an interim basis. Apparently, five years as an anonymous scout has given Ford the itch to coach again. Philadelphia, which fired Maurice Cheeks mid-season, wants to make a move before the draft since interim coach Tony DiLeo, who led the 76ers to the playoffs this season, intends to return to the front office.

Former Nets executive Ed Stefanski, now the Sixers GM, really wanted to interview Villanova head coach Jay Wright. And who could blame him or the team -- Wright is a master motivator who is also excellent at developing young talent. He'd be perfect for the job. But Wright declined consideration, saying Villanova is "where I want to be." Apparently, a small suburban campus is a "better fit" than getting a big pay raise on a big stage in a huge sports town like Philly. Hmmm.

Anyway, the Sixers are also interviewing ex-Wizards coach Eddie Jordan, Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, and Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey.

You may remember Kurt Rambis for this outstanding porn-star mustache and for these fashionable glasses that have spawned these commemorative t-shirts. Rambis was also the recipient of the most famous clothesline in NBA history.

But seriously, Thibodeau is the guy Philadelphia should really hire since Wright is unavailable. He's a defensive expert who would do wonders for a team that allowed opponents to shoot a better FG% than it did, and also gave up more turnovers that it forced. In a relatively weak Eastern Conference, a coach like Thibodeau could turn the Sixers into a more serious contender, much like Thibodeau beefed up the Celtics' defense to the extent that the team won a title. Of course, Philly doesn't have a Big Three, but since defense wins championships, hiring this guy is a good start.

Or Stefanski could just re-hire Ford. That's what I would do. Three cheers for Brandeis!