Pacers Fire Head Coach

After four seasons leading the Indiana Pacers, the team has announced Nate McMillan has been let go as head coach. The decision comes two weeks after the Pacers announced a contract extension for McMillan and just two days after the Pacers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs.

The team released a statement Wednesday:

“On behalf of the Simon family and the Pacers organization, I’d like to thank Nate for his years with the team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “This was a very hard decision for us to make; but we feel it’s in the best interest of the organization to move in a different direction. Nate and I have been through the good times and the bad times; and it was an honor to work with him for those 11 years (in Indiana and Portland).”

McMillan compiled a 183-136 record in four years at the helm, after serving as associate head coach under Frank Vogel from 2013-2016. McMillan has an overall head coaching record of 661-588 with three organizations, after beginning with Seattle and also leading Portland for seven seasons. The 56-year old has the third-most wins in Pacers NBA history.

The Pacers were bounced from the first-round playoff series by the Miami Heat during a four-game sweep. The Pacers finished the season 45-28

The team says the search immediately begins for a new head coach.