DENVER -- Denver Nuggets coach Dan Issel acknowledged Monday he has trouble controlling his temper and said he would do anything to heal the rift he caused after he shouted an insensitive ethnic remark at a fan.

"I think it is a problem," Issel said of his temper as he ran practice for the first time since his four-game suspension began last week. "I think I would like to keep a little more private what I am going to do about it, but yes, it is a problem."

The remark occurred following a loss to the Charlotte Hornets Dec. 11. Issel was walking off the court when a fan shouted at him. Issel stopped and shouted: "Go drink another beer, you Mexican ...," adding an expletive.

Hispanic activists dropped their threatened boycott of the team after Issel met with community leaders and privately apologized.

"I am not going to run away from anything and now more than ever I have to concentrate on showing, not only the Hispanic community, but the entire Denver and Colorado community that that's not me and that's not within my heart," Issel said.

Issel, who has two more games of his team-imposed suspension to serve, said he would consider making a public apology.

"I just wondered why I responded in that way," Issel said. "I am not a racist and I think at the time I think I was trying to say he was hurting me and I was trying to say the most hurtful thing I could think of."

The Nuggets play host to San Antonio on Wednesday. Issel returns to the bench on Saturday at home against Golden State.