Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach. Update post #24 - Pacers hire Popeye Jones

[Psyren]

http://www.nba.com/pacers/#/story/news/pacers-name-nate-mcmillan-associate-head-coach

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers announced Monday that Nate McMillan has been signed as an associate head coach. Per club policy, no terms of the contract are released. McMillan replaces Brian Shaw, who became head coach at Denver.

McMillan comes to the Pacers with a vast basketball background as a player and as a coach. After playing collegiately at North Carolina State, McMillan was drafted by Seattle (30th overall) in the 1986 NBA Draft. He played his entire 12-year career with the Sonics, had his number (10) retired and became their coach in 2000 and remained in Seattle until after the 2005 season. He then went to Portland that year and coached the Trail Blazers until he was let go in March, 2012. McMillan also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Team in the 2006 FIBA World Championships, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.

“We are extremely thrilled to have Nate join our staff,” said Pacers head coach Frank Vogel. “To get someone with his experience as a player and a coach will be extremely valuable to our players, to our staff and to our franchise.”

“To be able to join a respected franchise like this is a great opportunity,” said McMillan. “It’s obvious the potential this team has to compete for a championship and to come on board at a time like this is great timing for me. I really look forward to working with this coaching staff and the players. I have heard nothing but good things about everyone involved and that made this a very easy decision to make.”

[Diamond Dave]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

Obviously I think everyone would have loved to have kept Shaw, but I think were all surprised he was still around this season too. I think our staff thinks its important have a former player on the coaching staff. Frank and Burke are great, but I'm sure there are a few instances when only a former NBA player can get through to a current NBA player. Smart move, and I suspect this will work out well.

[Isaac]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

Brian Shaw is such a players coach, whereas McMillan has a history of butting heads with players. He's a hard ***. It will be interesting to see how it works out.

[wintermute]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

We might not be a player FA destination, but we can sure recruit the hell out of assistant coaches

Remember when SVG turned us down? Now we've had Brian Shaw and Nate McMillan join as assistants. Stellar hire, and a heck of a recruiting job by Vogel.

[Heisenberg]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

We might not be a player FA destination, but we can sure recruit the hell out of assistant coaches

Remember when SVG turned us down? Now we've had Brian Shaw and Nate McMillan join as assistants. Stellar hire, and a heck of a recruiting job by Vogel.

I'm sure Pritchard being here didn't hurt with McMillan either

[lolwuttermelons]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

Suprised this thread hasn't gotten more posts....

McMillian is another great defensive mind to add to our staff. Really great news to hear, was expecting him to get a head coaching gig somewhere!

[BlueNGold]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

The Pacers continue to build class into everything they do. Who was driving the bus through the Shawne Williams, Rawle Marshall and David Harrison years?

[Anthem]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

That's awesome.

Nate's got a reputation as a disciplinarian, but some of that was his situation. His role here will be different. I expect him to do great at relating to the players.

[Heisenberg]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

Sounds like McMillan specifically sought the job out

http://www.indystar.com/article/20130713/SPORTS15/307130041/Bob-Kravitz-Pacers-biggest-offseason-move-may-been-hiring-Nate-McMillan

Then, earlier this summer, he found himself unable to sleep, and around 6 a.m., he placed a call to his former boss in Portland, Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard. He told him, “If Brian Shaw gets a head coaching job, I’d be interested in (Shaw’s previous) position.’’

A few weeks later, McMillan was in Indianapolis for interviews.

“It was important for me to go into a situation as a head coach or as an assistant with an organization that had a vision, a plan, and was following that plan,’’ McMillan said. “Indiana had all of that. They’re already doing all of that.

“I’ve always had young, rebuilding teams (in Seattle and Portland), and there’s such a difference between developing teams and experienced teams. I wanted a team that’s ready to take that next step, and in Indiana, everything is in place here. Looking at it from the outside, it seemed like everything was in place as far as what I was looking for.’’

[BlueCollarColts]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

Sounds like McMillan specifically sought the job out

http://www.indystar.com/article/2013...-Nate-McMillan

Great! Love to have someone who wanted to come here on board

[ECKrueger]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

Sounds like McMillan specifically sought the job out

http://www.indystar.com/article/2013...-Nate-McMillan

What world are we living in?

[Anthem]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

What world are we living in?

For real. This is a fascinating tidbit.

The thing is, it's actually a great career move for him. He'll get to be back in a position to put his name out there as a good coach in a quality organization. It would be a strong way to step back into a lead coaching role.

If McMillan gets a good lead role after a year or two, then Frank could be building quite the coveted position here in Indiana.

[J7F]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

What world are we living in?

I friggin great one...

We've come a long way folks!

[kent beckley]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

The Frank Vogel coaching tree!?!

Who would've guessed three years ago, lol

[Unclebuck]

Re: Nate McMillan named Associate Head Coach

Suprised this thread hasn't gotten more posts....

McMillian is another great defensive mind to add to our staff. Really great news to hear, was expecting him to get a head coaching gig somewhere!

There were a few threads discussing Nate when there were first rumors and then it was clear he was going to be an assistant coach. So most have already stated their opinions