Report says relationship with Deron Williams led to Sloan's departure

Report says relationship with Deron Williams led to Sloan's departure

Utah Jazz management insisted Thursday that Jerry Sloan was not nudged out the door, and Sloan himself said fatigue was a key factor in his decision to resign, but an Internet report suggested it was the former coach’s deteriorating relationship with star point guard Deron Williams that led to his departure.

"Nobody pushed Jerry or (lead assistant) Phil (Johnson) out,” Jazz owner Gregg Miller said at a press conference announcing Sloan’s resignation. “No players pushed him out, (GM) Kevin (O’Connor) didn’t push him out, an aspiring head coach didn’t push him out and I certainly didn’t push him out.” Miller said that management tried to persuade Sloan to stay.

"You only have so much energy left," Sloan said, "and my energy level has dropped off a little bit."

Yahoo! Sports, however, reported that Sloan and Williams have clashed all season long, and Sloan felt ownership was taking the player’s side. The discord between Sloan and Williams came to a head during halftime of the Jazz’s loss at home to Chicago on Wednesday night, and Sloan made his decision to resign then, according to the report.