UPDATE: The Nate McMillan Era has begun in Indy.
OFFICIAL: The Indiana #Pacers have named Nate McMillan as their head coach. Story: https://t.co/1k0Bjzx0tL pic.twitter.com/dmhqz7dqiT
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 16, 2016
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The Indiana Pacers are reportedly replacing Frank Vogel with his top assistant coach, Nate McMillan.
McMillan, 51, has had two previous head coaching gigs.
Vogel’s contract was not renewed at the end of the Pacers’ season, which ended after a seven-game first round Playoff series with the Toronto Raptors.
Per Yahoo and the Indy Star:
McMillan interviewed for the job with Pacers officials late in the week, was offered the job and the two sides were ironing out contract terms on Saturday, sources said.
McMillan, 51, has previous head coaching experience with the Seattle SuperSonics (2000-05) and Portland Trail Blazers (2005-12). In 12 seasons, McMillan had a 478-452 record and made five postseason appearances. McMillan’s Portland ties with Kevin Pritchard, who was the Blazers’ general manager and now serves as the same capacity under Larry Bird, have continued to Indiana.
On May 5 when Bird, the Pacers’ president of basketball operations, announced the dismissal of Vogel, he said the team needed a new voice, a coach to hold players accountable and get the roster to raise its level of play. It’s also no secret that Bird has wanted the team to truly embrace small ball in an effort to score more points.
