Larry Bird addressed the media Thursday morning.
The Indiana Pacers will be getting a new coach. Pacers President Larry Bird announced Thursday morning that after numerous conversations with Frank Vogel, the franchise will be moving on.
“Over the last few days, I had numerous conversations with Frank and decided that it’s time for a new voice around here,” he said. “You know some time my job really sucks and this is one of the toughest things I’ve done because of the respect that I have for Frank. I had time to think about it and watch the team throughout the year. I know a lot of you didn’t expect us to make the playoffs, but obviously I have a lot higher expectations than most people of how our team should play, and how far they should go in the playoffs and how they should compete every night. I just came to the conclusion that I felt it was necessary for these guys to hear a new voice. It’s tough.
“I know it’s not going to be a 100-percent popular move, but all I think about is the franchise. What’s best for the franchise, and I think this is.”
During player exit interviews on Tuesday, Bird said he didn’t talk with the players about the coach.
Bird admitted that he didn’t meet with Vogel face-to-face. He informed Vogel of his decision this morning over the phone.
“We talked this morning probably for a half an hour on the phone,” Bird shared. “He was trying to talk me out of this decision. Frank loves it here. His family loves it. He kept bringing it up, ‘Can we sit down and delay the news conference and start all over again.’ He’s going to be missed. He’s a good guy. He was good for our community.”
[Frank Vogel releases statement on his time with the Pacers]
Vogel’s History:
- Vogel was the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the NBA, being behind only Gregg Popovich (20), Rick Carlisle (8), and Erik Spoelstra (8).
- Vogel took over as head coach on an interim basis in January, 2011. They won 2o of their final 38 games and qualified for the postseason for the first time in five years.
- In July, 2011, Vogel had his interim tag removed.
- On January 7, 2013, Vogel received a contract extension.
- On October, 8, 2014, Vogel received a multi-year contract extension.
- He’s the winningest coach in NBA franchise history, going 250-181 (.580) over five and a half seasons. He has the second-most playoff wins in NBA franchise history, going 31-30 overall.
- Vogel is the last recipient of the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award, for April when he led the team to a 6-1 finish to the regular season. He has won the award four times over his career.