Rumor: Sun looking for new COO
Rumors are swirling about the fate of Sun Microsystems' top executives, fueled by the return of Chief Financial Officer Mike Lehman and his no-stone-unturned "fresh look" at the server and software company's operations.
The latest rumor is that Sun hired an executive search firm to look externally for a new chief operating officer. Jonathan Schwartz has held that title, along with that of president, for two years. He currently also is acting executive vice president of software in the wake of John Loiacono's departure to Adobe Systems.
One popular rumor is that Scott McNealy will drop his chief executive role but remain chairman. If Schwartz gets moved to CEO, as some suspect, or returns permanently to his old job as EVP of software, that would leave a slot open for COO.
Sun declined to comment on the rumor.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
