CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls appointed lead assistant coach Jim Boylan to interim head coach for the remainder of the 2007-08 season Thursday.

Boylan takes over for Scott Skiles, who was fired on Christmas Eve.

"After sitting down with Jim yesterday and discussing our team, I feel comfortable giving him the interim head coaching position," Bulls vice president John Paxson said. "Jim has paid his dues as an assistant coach and has his own ideas on the way he wants us to play. Many top assistants never get the chance to be a head coach in the NBA and Jim has assured me he will provide the necessary energy and commitment this position requires."

The 52-year-old Boylan is in his fourth season with the Bulls organization, after joining the team as an assistant coach in 2004. He is a 14-year NBA coaching veteran, having also spent time on the sidelines in Cleveland under Mike Fratello, Vancouver under Brian Hill, Phoenix under Skiles and Atlanta under Terry Stotts.

Boylan began his coaching career in the NBA in 1992 as video coordinator and advance scout for Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens in Cleveland. He also coached in the Continental Basketball Association and in college, including stops at Michigan State as an assistant and as head coach at New Hampshire.

Skiles, who was the 15th head coach in team history, took over the Bulls early in the 2003-04 season.

In his four-plus seasons with Chicago, Skiles compiled a record of 165-172 and last season led the franchise to 49 wins, its most since victories since the 1997-98 campaign.