The Pacers nearly pulled off a big comeback Sunday in Game 7 against the Raptors but their effort fell short. Now the big question is whether Frank Vogel will return to coach the team in 2016-17.
Pacers president Larry Bird said he hasn't yet decided whether he’ll bring back Vogel, whose contract expires this offseason, for a seventh season after their playoff elimination.
MORE: Raptors, Heat seek to rediscover their mojo
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Bird told the Indianapolis Star.
What Bird does know is he wasn’t pleased with the Pacers' scoring output, telling the paper, “You can’t go very far in the playoffs if you don’t score.”
Bird said he intends to consult Pacers owner Herb Simon before making any decision on Vogel. He said he didn’t have anything scheduled but he’d rather do it sooner than later.
“What I don’t want to do is leave Frank hanging — there’s other jobs out there he could get," Bird said.
That’s very gentleman-like of Bird, but if you are Vogel it doesn’t exactly scream job security. Vogel has led the team to a 250-181 record in six seasons. The Pacers have been to the playoffs in five of those six seasons.
“Frank’s a great guy," Bird said. "He’s going to be fine no matter what happens. If he’s back, he’ll be fine here. If he’s not, he’s not. We’ll see.”