Jim Boylen was elevated to head coach of the Chicago Bulls in December 2018 to replace Fred Hoiberg and his tenure was immediately controversial. While Hoiberg had a laid back approach, Boylen operated like an old school college coach. The Bulls wanted a coach who would hold players accountable, but Boylen never could accomplish that feat outside of public lashings. 

Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic writes that Boylen's "two-year tenure was described by multiple people within the organization as toxic." It was described by one person as a "nightmare" and another as "a circus."

Boylen had contentious relationships with multiple players.

Arturas Karnisovas insists Boylen was not fired due to his attitude or antics.

“It was strictly a basketball decision,” Karnisovas said in some fashion seven times during his 15-minute conference call with local reporters Friday.