INDIANAPOLIS -- Larry Bird found his man, and he didn't have to look far.
The Pacers announced Nate McMillan, currently an assistant coach for the team, will move to head coach of the Pacers.
This will be McMillan's third run as a head coach. He previously was head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers from 2005-12, and the Seattle Sonics from 2000-05.
"Things have changed [since 2005]," he said. "Players have changed. How you coach these players has changed."
McMillan, 51, has been an assistant coach with Indiana since 2013.
"I believe in Nate," Bird said. "I've admired him from afar."
Bird said it wasn't any one thing that solidified his decision in McMillan.
Bird announced last week that Frank Vogel was out as head coach.
"I truly believe Nate is the right coach for us at this time,” Bird said. "When I heard he was interested, I got in touch with him, met with him and in our conversation I came away with all the confidence in the world in Nate to lead our franchise to where we want to go. His experience as a player, head coach and assistant coach in the NBA are valuable assets for us.”
Vogel's contract was up after the 2015-16 season. He'd been with the Pacers for five-and-a-half years.
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