Bird, a Hall of Fame member, has been out of the game since guiding the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000. In three seasons as coach of Indiana, he compiled a 147-67 record. Bird earned Coach of the Year honors in 1998, when the Pacers posted a franchise-best winning percentage of .707 (58-24) and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.
"It?s great to have Larry Bird as a Pacer again," said Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Donnie Walsh. "While I will remain the chief executive officer, Larry will begin to assume the day-to-day basketball responsibilities. As Pacers Sports & Entertainment has grown, I?ve seen my responsibilities grow and I needed somebody to assume the responsibility of basketball operations. There is no one more perfect for the Pacers than Larry.
"While Larry was coach, I was very impressed with not only his knowledge of the game, but of the NBA and what it took to win a championship. I think this will be a huge benefit to our owners, our franchise, our coaches, our players and our fans."
Bird had a stellar 13-year NBA career with the Celtics. He helped lead Boston to three world championships and was twice named NBA Finals MVP. Bird was also the league?s MVP three straight years (1984-86) and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1980.
He was selected as an NBA All-Star 12 times and he was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning "Dream Team."
Bird, who was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players during its 50th anniversary celebration, retired from the Celtics in 1992 and then served as a consultant for the club before joining the Pacers as head coach in 1997. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame on October 2, 1998.
"As everyone knows, I?ve recently expressed interest in getting back into the NBA," said Bird. "This opportunity came along and the chance for me to learn from Donnie Walsh, to be part of a class franchise with great owners, to be with a coach who also knows about winning championships and is as committed to winning one here as I am, makes this a special situation. And it?s good to be back home."
