Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird announced Thursday that head coach Frank Vogel will not return to the team next season.
Vogel, whose contract expired after the Toronto Raptors bounced the Pacers out of the postseason in the first round, led Indiana to the playoffs in five of his six seasons.
Yet Bird had high praise for Vogel, much to the bewilderment of ESPN's Rachel Nichols:
Larry Bird on Frank Vogel: "He's the best...he's the real deal."
Um, so, Larry...— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 5, 2016But he explained his decision, per the Pacers: "I’ve decided that it’s time for a new voice around here.