Wizards hire Eddie Jordan as coach

WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) -- The Washington Wizards announced Thursday the hiring of New Jersey Nets assistant Eddie Jordan as their new head coach.

Jordan, 48, a Washington native, succeeds Doug Collins, who was fired on May 30.

"I think he's a very good X's and O's guy," New Jersey General Manager Rod Thorn told the Washington Post. "He's a good coach and good guy on top of it."

"My plan was to hire a president or a general manager first, but I revised that plan because I wanted to make sure that Eddie was our coach," said Washington owner Abe Pollin.

Jordan has limited head coaching experience, having guided Sacramento in 1997-98, compiling a 33-64 record. He inherits a team that has made the playoffs just once since 1988.

In what may be an omen, there was a power outage at MCI Center while Jordan was being introduced by Pollin.

Also, General Manager Wes Unseld takes a leave of absence after the June 26 draft.