Riley Takes Over Heat Coaching Job After Van Gundy Resigns

Heat President Pat Riley yesterday took over as the team’s coach after Stan Van Gundy resigned for what he called “personal reasons.” Van Gundy: “People speculate I’m getting forced out. If I’m getting forced out, I would have gotten absolutely every dollar on my contract and walked out the door. That’s not what happened here.” In Miami, Barry Jackson notes Van Gundy, who was in his third year as Heat coach, reportedly earned $3M annually. Heat Managing General Partner Micky Arison supported the decision (MIAMI HERALD, 12/13). Van Gundy will remain with the team as a consultant after reaching a settlement on the “more than $6[M] remaining on his contract” (SUN-SENTINEL, 12/13).

RILES’ STYLE: In Miami, Dan Le Batard writes with Riley taking on the coaching role, the Heat “just got sexier. ... More interesting. ... More famous. [But maybe not] better.” Le Batard added of the move, “The Heat spun it as perfectly as possible, saying this wasn’t quite the Riley glory-grab it appeared to be, but there weren’t a lot of other options” (MIAMI HERALD, 12/13). Also in Miami, Greg Cote writes the move “has been inevitable ever since those few turbulent weeks this past summer when Riley ... admitted he missed coaching and planned vaguely to become more involved in that aspect” (MIAMI HERALD, 12/13).

SHAQ’S ROLE: ESPN.com’s Marc Stein wrote the notion that Heat C Shaquille O’Neal wanted Van Gundy fired is “probably a bit strong. Let’s just say Shaq hasn’t been Stan’s biggest fan” (ESPN.com, 12/12). ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan reported Riley gave Arison a note following a November 16 game “regarding Van Gundy’s displeasure.” Arison’s “impulse was to make a change immediately, but Riley counseled him to wait.” Arison again wanted to make a coaching change December 1, but Riley persuaded him to fly to California, where the Heat were playing, “for a sit-down with Van Gundy” (ESPN.com, 12/12).