Your inbox approves Men's coaches poll Women's coaches poll Play to win 25K!
PACERS
Frank Vogel

Frank Vogel out as Indiana Pacers head coach

AJ Neuharth-Keusch
USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel reacts on the side line during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.  The Indiana Pacers won 102-91. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel won't return to coach the team next season, team president Larry Bird announced Thursday morning.

Vogel, who got his start in Indiana as an assistant coach in 2007 after assistant jobs with Boston and Philadelphia, took over the head coaching duties for the Pacers in the middle of the 2010-11 as a replacement for Jim O'Brien. He led the team to a 250-181 record during his tenure on the sidelines.

The Pacers made it to the Eastern Conference playoffs in five of Vogel's six seasons with the team, two of which ended in the conference finals. This season, they were eliminated from their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss.

Frank Vogel out as Pacers coach

“Over the last few days I had numerous conversations with Frank and decided that it’s time for a new voice around here,” Bird said.

All things Pacers: Latest Indiana Pacers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

“Sometimes my job really sucks, and this is one of the toughest things I’ve done because the respect that I have for Frank," he continued." ... I just came to the conclusion that I felt it’s necessary for these guys to hear a new voice. It’s tough. Frank’s not getting fired, his contract’s up, and I just made a decision not to renew it.”

Moving forward, Bird stressed that Vogel will have no trouble exploring the job market.

"He will do fine. He's looking forward to the opportunity to his next job. He's the real deal. He's a good man."

While he didn't announce any potential candidates to replace Vogel, Bird shot down the idea of his former teammate and ex-Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale landing the job.

"I would not do that to Kevin, have him to work for me. That's just not fair. I respect the man too much," Bird said. "I would love for him to be my coach, but it ain't gonna happen."

Follow AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter @tweetAJNK

Featured Weekly Ad