PHILADELPHIA — A person familiar with the talks says the Philadelphia 76ers are negotiating with TNT analyst Doug Collins to become their new coach.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were supposed to remain confidential.

Team president Ed Stefanski interviewed Collins on May 1, and he emerged as the leading candidate to replace the fired Eddie Jordan. The pool of candidates includes former Dallas coach Avery Johnson and Toronto coach Sam Mitchell.

Collins went 332-287 in coaching stints with Chicago, Detroit and Washington. The 76ers made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1973 draft, and he played eight seasons with the team.

The negotiations first were reported by the Philadelphia Daily News.