It was a move that had been building up for the past two years, and earlier this summer, it became a reality. Tim Floyd resigned as Iowa State men’s basketball coach, and although he currently holds the title of “director of basketball operations” for the Chicago Bulls, he is expected to take the place of head coach, which was left open by Phil Jackson.

During a press conference held on July 23, Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf surprised basketball followers when he announced that Floyd would become head coach of the World Championship team if Jackson, who resigned shortly after the Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz, absolutely refused to come back.

Many in the Chicago press have since commented that they believe Floyd’s “not-quite-head-coach” appointment was a move designed to pacify basketball superstar Michael Jordan, who has said he would never play for a young coach like Floyd.

On July 16, Jordan told the Associated Press that he has nothing against Floyd, but he does not want to start over with a new coach.

“I don’t condemn [the Bulls] for hiring him,” he said. “But I just don’t feel that I want to start with someone who doesn’t really know me and doesn’t know the way I play the game of basketball.”

At the press conference, Floyd made it clear that he does not want to be known as the coach who drove one of basketball’s legends away from the game.

“I was not about to take this job if I thought it would prevent in any way Michael Jordan’s return to the game,” Floyd said at the press conference. “This is all about Michael’s wishes. And if Phil Jackson wants to return, I will step away.”

Rumors have circulated in Chicago for years about the tense relationships between Bulls management and Jackson and several of the team’s key players. Through his spokesperson, Jackson has said he has no interest in returning as coach after hearing the July 23 announcement.

Jordan has not been commenting on whether he is going to retire now that Floyd apparently will be the next Bulls coach. He is expected to announce his plans sometime after the NBA lockout has ended.

“We are leaving open for Phil, Michael and Scottie [Pippen] to return and defend their championship, while at the same time providing a plan to move forward if they choose not to do so,” Reinsdorf said at the conference.

The 44-year-old Floyd left ISU after four years, during which he led the Cyclones to an 81-47 record. He was the first ISU coach to bring the Cyclones three consecutive first-round victories in the NCAA tournament. This past season, ISU was 12-18.

At a press conference the previous day, ISU Athletic Director Gene Smith said he was “thankful” for Floyd’s services at ISU. Larry Eustachy, who was head coach at Utah State University, has since been named as Floyd’s successor.

Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause first met Floyd during the coach’s time at New Orleans, where the two became fishing partners. While at New Orleans, Floyd averaged 21 wins per season and made two NCAA tournament appearances.

In Ames, Floyd set the school record for wins his first two seasons, while his team won the 1996 Big 8 title, earning him conference coach of the year accolades. His 1997 squad advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16

The Associated Press contributed to this story.