Forman said that Bulls management "dug deep" before coming to a decision Wednesday night and informing Thibodeau on Thursday morning.



They considered the team's overall performance, exit interviews with players, Thibodeau's reluctance to adhere to minutes restrictions and, perhaps most significantly, the coach's personality, which turned off numerous facets of the organization.



"Relationships are difficult," Paxson said. "But there has to be a situation with open dialogue, where there are no barriers. You should be able to ask any question, push the envelope. That's what relationships should be about. Obviously there was a breakdown."



Forman said the search for Thibodeau's replacement will end "when we find the right guy ... whether that's a day, a week, a month or two months."



Several sources believe the search essentially already has ended, and that Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg will get the job.



Of the criteria, Forman said: "We're not going to put ourselves in a box and say: 'Had to have been a head coach, had to have been an assistant, what level they coached on.' We are going to look for the right fit, someone that can lead, someone that can communicate at a high level and has a great knowledge of the game. Experience is a plus. If they have been a head coach, ever more so."