Jazz coach Sloan resigns after lengthy tenure

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Longtime Utah Jazz coach Jerry  Sloan said yesterday a drop-off in energy was behind his  sudden decision to resign after 23 years with the NBA team.

The 68-year-old Sloan, who earlier this year agreed to a  one-year contract extension to remain with the team, steered  the Jazz to a 31-23 record this season. He will be replaced by  assistant coach Ty Corbin.

“Twenty-three years is a long time to be a part of one  organisation … my time is up and it’s time for me to move  on,” an emotional Sloan said at a news conference. “You only  have so much energy left and my energy level has dropped off  quite a bit.”

Sloan, who also coached the Chicago Bulls, had a 1,221-803  career record and is the only NBA coach to win 1,000 games with  a single franchise. He had been the longest-serving head coach  of any of the four major North American pro sports teams.