Issel Accepts a Buyout, Resigns

Since 1975, Dan Issel had been synonymous with the Denver Nuggets, first as a player, then as general manager, president and, twice, as head coach.

That relationship ended Wednesday in Denver when Issel accepted a buyout and resigned as president and coach, two weeks after he was suspended for making an insensitive ethnic remark to a spectator.

The announcement came after Issel and General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe finalized the details of Issel’s departure in private meetings.

“I think, after a lot of soul-searching, Dan realized that perhaps coaching wasn’t for him,” Vandeweghe said at a news conference.

“Dan went through a lot of emotions. He kind of came to terms with some things in his life. For as long as I’ve known Dan, he’s always done what’s best for the organization. This was entirely Dan’s decision.”

Terms of the settlement were not released.

“I think the bottom line was, he wasn’t happy, he wasn’t happy coaching,” center Raef LaFrentz said. “That’s the real reason.”

Assistant coach Mike Evans, who has been serving as interim coach, will remain in charge of the team.

Issel was not at the news conference to explain his reasons for resigning.

He did, however, release a statement through the Nuggets that read:

“After talking with Kiki and other members of the organization, as well as my family, I have decided it is best for the organization and for me to step aside.”

Issel had been on a leave of absence since Saturday, hours before he was to return to coaching after a four-game suspension.

Issel made the remarks Dec. 11 as he walked off the court after a loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the Nuggets’ fifth in a row. He responded to a taunt from the fan by yelling back, “Go drink another beer, you Mexican

The next day, the team suspended Issel for four games without pay, costing him more than $112,000.

Issel apologized to the Latino community in public and private, and to the city of Denver and its residents.

Issel was to earn $2.5 million this year on a contract that would have expired after next season.

This is the second time Issel has resigned as the Nuggets’ coach. In 1995, he resigned 34 games into his third season as coach. Issel also played for the Nuggets for 10 seasons and was their general manager.

Issel’s two-term coaching record in Denver was 180-208, making him the third-winningest in club history.

Vandeweghe said he didn’t believe Issel’s suspension was the sole reason for his resignation. Issel has had problems before with his players, including an episode last season when the team boycotted a practice.

Vandeweghe said the Nuggets players, informed of the decision before Wednesday night’s home game against Minnesota, had a “mixed” reaction.

“Some of the players were saddened by it because they had grown close to Dan,” Vandeweghe said. “As competitors, most players like to have a resolution, so I think they were happy that we had a resolution.”

*

Phoenix reserve guard Tony Delk left the game against the Houston Rockets in the first quarter with a right knee bruise and didn’t return. He is listed as day-to-day.