A few hours after the news broke about Head Coach Jim O’Brien’s firing, the Indiana Pacers organization called for a press conference with team president Larry Bird.
At this presser, the team announced that assistant coach Frank Vogel would be stepping in as the interim coach for the remainder of the 2010-11 season.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the news that we let Jimmy go today and we’re going to replace him with Frank Vogel. I want to thank Jimmy for his three-and-a-half years of service. He helped change the culture and he’s going to be missed. Hopefully we can move forward and win some ball games and get back in playoff contention,” said Bird.
By: Nick Grays
Where do the Pacers go from here?
It’s a legitimate question considering the talent and bright future this Indiana team seems to have. The key will be for the Pacers organization to find a coach that can develop the talent and utilize Danny Granger while he’s still one of the best prolific scorers in the NBA.
Can Frank Vogel be that guy?
Possibly, but how much trust can you put in an assistant coach with no head coach experience? There is no doubt the organization will be on a hunt for a high-profile head coach in the near future.
But right now, Vogel gives the team a fresh start and a chance to turn the season around. At 17-27, the Pacers are two games back of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. It’s not like Indiana has been a team getting blown out in every game they play. Usually, they play inspired basketball for about three quarters and fall apart at the end.
Bird saw that lack of intensity at end of games and admitted that was one reason O’Brien had to go. He also mentioned how he and Vogel are on the same page when it comes to turning this team around.
“We know where we want to take this franchise. We want to see if some of these young guys can play,” said Bird. “He wants to see Stephenson play some and wants to see George at shooting guard and small forward. He’s the coach. He’s going to do what’s necessary to win basketball games.”
Bird also went on to say if Vogel does a good job with the team, he will be first in line for an interview during the off-season.
In the midst of his fourteenth year in the league (eighth as an assistant coach), Vogel knows this is a tough day to say 
bye to a friend, but at the same time, a great opportunity.
“Obviously this is a very difficult day for me. I wish I was up here under different circumstances. Coach O’Brien has been a mentor in every sense of the word and a friend. That being said when one door closes another one opens. I recognize the incredible opportunity,” said Vogel.
Vogel also made sure to address any doubts Pacers fans may have and made a bold prediction.
“In terms of experience, this is my 14th year in the NBA. I’ve prepared for 1,400 games. There’s no lack of experience in preparation, or in helping a head coach manage a game,” said Vogel.
“Moving over one seat, will that be different? I’m sure it will be,” replied Vogel with the confidence of a coach who seems he can handle it.
“I fully expect us to make the playoffs this year. I think our fans should be excited. This is going to be an exciting second half of the year,” concluded Vogel.
The Pacers next game will be on Monday when they welcome the Toronto Raptors into Conseco Fieldhouse where they are an even 11-11 on the season.
Will Frank Vogel ultimately get this Indiana Pacers team into the Playoffs? Where do the Pacers look next for a Head Coach if Vogel is not the man? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior editor at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Brewers. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.
