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SALT LAKE CITY -- Former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan released a statement Saturday regarding the handling of his retirement from the Jazz.
A recent spat between former Jazzman Karl Malone and owner Greg Miller over how Sloan's career as the Jazz head man led to Sloan releasing the statement in which he said,"I would like to set the record straight regarding my retirement from the Utah Jazz. I had the unwavering support of the Miller family during my 23 seasons as head coach with the franchise and I left on my own volition.
"It is not true that the Millers undermined my authority as head coach."
In an interview this past week on 1280 The Zone Malone said, "On the whole handling of (Sloan's departure), I would have to give [them] a D or F, and I would lean more toward an F."
Sloan intimated the Millers gave him their "complete backing to run the team" and "encouraged me to stay with the team and gave me multiple opportunities to do so. They felt strongly that I should wait at least until the end of the season to resign and did everything they could to keep me coaching."
CLICK HERE to read Sloan's entire statement.
Malone also claimed he had to buy a scalped ticket to get into a game.
Miller disputed that on Twitter:
"Hey Karl — you're lying. You have my number. Next time you need a seat to a Jazz game, call me."
He also expounded in detail on his blog.
The Jazz issued the statement on Sloan's behalf.
Miller isn't expected to be at Saturday night's game at the EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz say he will be attending a car dealership award function with his family.
