Report: Pat Riley to resign as Heat coach

Apr 28, 2008 - 6:47 PM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Pat Riley apparently wants no part of coaching the Miami Heat anymore.

Riley plans to resign as the Heat's head coach but remain as the team's president, according to a report published Monday by the Miami Herald.

The Heat have not confirmed the report but have scheduled a "major" news conference for 4 p.m. EDT Monday afternoon - when the Hall of Fame coach is expected to officially announce his resignation.

According to the Herald, Riley met with Heat owner Micky Arison over the weekend to discuss the future of the team.

If the report is accurate, Monday's announcement will come less than nine months after Riley, 63, claimed that he would coach the Heat for another three seasons.

But Miami's dismal 2007-08 campaign evidently has worn on Riley, who admitted this past January that he occasionally felt conflicted between his roles as the team's coach and president.

Riley struggled through the worst season of his storied coaching career in 2007-08, guiding the Heat to a league-worst 15-67 record. Riley even left the team at one point to scout players in the NCAA Tournament.

The Heat's dramatic fall came just two seasons after Riley guided the franchise to its first NBA title in 2006.

Riley also coached Miami to the Southeast Division title in 2006-07. But it was a trying campaign for Riley, who left the team for 22 games at midseason to undergo hip and knee surgeries.

It marked the second time Riley left the team. Citing a need for a break, he handed the reins to assistant Stan Van Gundy just prior to the start of the 2003-04 season.

Feeling refreshed, Riley returned early in the 2005-06 season, guiding the Heat to the NBA title. It was the fifth championship for Riley, who won his first four with the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s.

Riley has posted a 454-395 record in 11 seasons as Miami's coach. He owns a career mark of 1,210-694 in 25 seasons overall with the Lakers, New York Knicks and Heat.