Pacers Coach O'Brien Earns Contract Extension

by spstevenson on Sep 25, 2009 1:59 PM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

On the eve of training camp and the start of the preseason, Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien gained some added security and an endorsement from his bosses today. Team president Larry Bird and owner Herb Simon exercised a team option to extend O'Brien's contract for one additional year, according to team officials.

O'Brien was entering the final year of his three-year deal with team. Barring any unforeseen changes, O'Brien will stay on the bench with the Pacers through the 2010-11 season.

"I appreciate (owner) Herb (Simon) and Larry's confidence as we move toward getting this franchise back to where it belongs," said O'Brien in a press release. "I love Indianapolis and all of the fans in Indiana, and I remain committed to bringing a championship to the Indiana Pacers."

O'Brien has compiled a 72-92 record in two years with the blue and gold. He has a career record of 254-250 in seven seasons. If O'Brien fulfills his new contract, he will become just the fifth coach in team history to stay on the bench for more than three seasons. Bird said in the press release that O'Brien is committed to making the Pacers a winning franchise again.

"We are very happy to get the option done on Jim's contract," Bird said. "When I interviewed Jim for this job, he was committed to everything we want to do. We both feel we're moving in the right direction."

Bird is also entering the final year of his contract as head of team operations. Simon has expressed that he wants Bird to stay in charge of the team after this season.

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Bad Idea

O’Brien is a safe coach that isn’t going to get this team anywhere. I haven’t seen any improvements on defense in the past two years and all this talk about improving defense during training camp isn’t likely to happen. They should have just let him finish out his contract, go on his way and hired the guy who can take this team into the playoffs.

by blueandgold24 on Sep 25, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions

Very unsure about this

Not that I have anything against Obie’s coaching (though I do dislike his rotations), I don’t care for this move being made right now. I don’t think it’ll make him any less hungry for wins, but I do think it locks us up unnecessarily. This is the year we should expect O’Brien to show real results beyond a 36-46 record. We’ve got a good enough offense and now an improved defense. If he doesn’t show any real improvements this year with the team, why do we want him back another year, especially if say a higher level coach may be available next summer?

I certainly have come around to most of the moves we’ve made this offseason, but this one is definitely the most unnecessary.

by Nathan S. on Sep 25, 2009 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

Seems OK to me

If anything it just gives the players some security and something not to worry about. I think it’s safe to say that O’Brien isn’t going to be coaching the team after the 2011 summer anyways. By then we’ll be ready to start completely fresh with all of those new free agent faces. I really don’t have a big problem with allowing O’Brien to coach this two for two more years.

by smits4ever on Sep 26, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

oh well

i have nothing against JOB. if anything id say we actually over achieved a little last year considering everything, so kudos to him. but while we’re on the subject… anyone else have dreams of miller coming back to coach? to once again join bird in leading the blue and gold into contention? foster expressed desire to stick around after retirement, think hed be a good coach?

by ottoprice13 on Sep 26, 2009 11:33 PM EDT reply actions