Skiles agrees to contract extension with Bulls

CHICAGO -- A talk with his boss changed Scott Skiles' mind and then it changed his future.

One day after he said he was through negotiating with the Chicago Bulls and was shocked by the process, Skiles agreed Tuesday to a four-year contract extension to keep coaching the young team he led to a remarkable comeback this season.

It was a heart-to-heart phone conversation with owner Jerry Reinsdorf -- about a 30-minute call that Skiles initiated -- that got the deal done. So instead of leaving town, Skiles is staying put.

"I actually came in this morning and kind of felt bad to say the least about the way things have gone," Skiles said. "I didn't want anything to break down because, you know, sort of foolish pride on my part, or some sort of immaturity on my part. I wanted to have a man-to-man talk with the owner of my team."

General manager John Paxson would not disclose the terms of the contract, but said: "He's going to get paid well, it's in line with the top coaches."

"I'm really glad he's back," Paxson said. "This is a big thing for the franchise."

Previous reports had said that Skiles had turned down a four-year, $17 million offer.

Scott Skiles led the Bulls to a 47-35 record last season. (Getty Images)

He refused Tuesday to talk about the financial details, but stressed that money was not the only factor.

"Of course it's involved in there. It was just more about some things that had gone on that maybe frankly I misunderstood," Skiles said.

The length of the contract was a priority for Skiles, according to Paxson.

"Ultimately, the number of years on the extension was important to Scott," he said. "We accommodated him on that."

Skiles had ended negotiations for a contract extension a month after leading the Bulls to their first playoff appearance in seven years. It was unclear as late as Tuesday afternoon whether he would stay with the team. Next season would have been the final season of his previous three-year deal.

"Obviously I wasn't that optimistic yesterday," Skiles said. "If you consider the four principals -- John, Jerry and (agent Keith Glass) and I -- you are talking about four pretty strong-willed grown men."