Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 15, 1990                   TAG: 9005150619
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SEATTLE                                LENGTH: Medium

JONES TO COACH SONICS

Sonics spokesman Jim Rupp confirmed early today that Jones, 58, will replace Bernie Bickerstaff. Jones was Bickerstaff's assistant this past season.

Bickerstaff, who coached the Sonics the last five years, will become vice president of basketball operations, Rupp said.

Sonics president Bob Whitsitt was not available for comment when The Associated Press called his home. He earlier told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that Jones would be coach, the newspaper reported today.

"I can guarantee you this is Bernie's wish," Rupp said. "Ever since the ulcer thing, Bernie has had his eye on leaving coaching and moving into the front office."

Bickerstaff, 46, was hospitalized and forced to miss six games because of a bleeding peptic ulcer during the 1988-89 season. He did not miss any games during the 1989-90 season.

Rupp would not confirm the Post-Intelligencer's report that Jones had signed a three-year, $900,000 contract.

Speculation that Jones was in and Bickerstaff was out surfaced Friday after Jones withdrew his name as a candidate for the Atlanta Hawks coaching job.

Bickerstaff compiled a 202-208 record as Sonics coach. The Sonics missed the playoffs with a 41-41 record this season after making the playoffs three straight seasons.

Bickerstaff has one year left on his contract.

Jones coached Boston for five seasons, from 1983-84 through 1987-88, guiding the Celtics to NBA championships in 1984 and 1986.

He also coached the Bullets franchise for three years, from 1973-74 to 1975-1976, when it was known as both the Capital Bullets and Washington Bullets.

Bickerstaff was an assistant under Jones for those three seasons.

Jones, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame, has a 463-193 record, a .706 percentage. His 79-54 playoff record ranks third behind Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley and former Boston coach Red Auerbach.