Indiana Pacers president of basketball ops Larry Bird announced Thursday morning that head coach Frank Vogel will not return next season.
The franchise elected to not renew Vogel’s expiring contract.
Bird: "I’ve decided that it’s time for a new voice around here… This is one of the toughest things I’ve done."
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 5, 2016
Larry Bird: "Frank’s not getting fired, his contract is up and I just made the decision not to renew it."
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 5, 2016
Bird says he spoke with Vogel for half an hour this morning, and Vogel asked him to reconsider his decision and “start all over."
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) May 5, 2016
Bird says that “good coaches” typically leave after three seasons.
From the press release:
“I want to thank Frank for his time in Indiana,” said Bird. “We know he’ll be successful down the road and end up getting a job, but for us, I just feel it’s time to move in a different direction.”
Vogel stepped in as interim coach, Jan. 30, 2011, replacing Jim O’Brien, and was named head coach July 6, 2011. In five-plus seasons, Vogel compiled a 250-181 record, five NBA Playoff appearances, two Central Division championships and two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The search for a new coach will begin immediately.
