Jerry Krause, one of the most successful front-office executives in NBA history, died Tuesday at age 77, according to multiple media reports.
Jerry Krause, GM of the Bulls for their six title teams, passed away this afternoon at age 77, a member of the family told the Tribune. RIP
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
Krause served as general manager of the Chicago Bulls from 1985-2003, hiring Phil Jackson, drafting Scottie Pippen and assembling the teams that won six NBA titles in the 1990s. He was named NBA Executive of the Year in 1988 and 1996.
Of all Krause’s moves, none worked out better than his decision to fire Doug Collins and promote Jackson from assistant to head coach in 1989. Collins had just led the Bulls to the conference finals, while Jackson had no NBA coaching experience. Of course, the hiring worked out brilliantly, as Jackson coached all six championship teams in Chicago.
Krause also architected the 1987 draft, when he selected Pippen No. 5 overall out of Central Arkansas and Horace Grant No. 10 out of Clemson. Those two players were key complements to Michael Jordan during the Bulls’ first three-peat.
Krause left the Bulls in 2003 after a string of disappointing drafts and questionable trades. He then served as a baseball scout for several teams including the White Sox, whom he had worked for more than 20 years earlier, before taking the Bulls job. Most recently, he served as a special assistant in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ front office.
