Pat Riley gets extension, doesn't rule out coaching return

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Heat president Pat Riley wouldn’t close the door Monday on resuming his Hall of Fame coaching career, even after insisting when he retired two years ago that he was “definitely sure that I don’t want to do this anymore.”

Riley didn’t come out and say he was thinking of returning as coach. When pressed, he simply wouldn’t reaffirm what he said in the same room two years ago, that his days on the sideline were finished.

Riley recently extended his deal with Heat president Micky Arison to remain as president. Riley wouldn’t reveal any details.

Perhaps it's just talk, but even as he was stepping aside a couple of years ago and saying that his days on the sideline were numbered, I think a lot of people remained skeptical. "Never" seems to be too strong a word to use in the coaching ranks; Riley was supposedly done when Stan Van Gundy took over, Don Nelson supposedly put coaching out of his mind when he took the Mavericks' GM job back in 1997. Both returned as they obviously have a love of coaching and a passion for the game that can't be fulfilled in the front office. Maybe Riley returns to the sidelines, maybe he doesn't, but it's worth noting this quote:

“I’ll do whatever is in the best interest of building the team here. Period,” Riley said at his end-of-season availability. “Whatever it takes, OK? I’ll let you fill in the blanks. … If some free agent were to say ‘I will come here but you must do this,’ well, hell, if that happens that day, then I might have to give it some thought.”

Whatever it takes to land a high profile free agent...or keep their own high profile free agent, who won a championship under Riley back in 2006.

Riley's a great coach. Spoeltra is mediocre at his best.

Spoeltra is mediocre at his best.

That's what they said about Stan Van Gundy too.

I hate this shit Riley always pulls with the "I may kick my solid young coach to the curb just because I want to coach again." I understand that he's one of the game's best coaches ever, but he did this same thing to SVG. It's not Spoelstra's fault Wade has no teammates able to play basketball at a high-ish level consistently.

I'd think the only way he would come back is if they landed a combo of Bosh-Wade or Boozer-Wade this summer. I don't see him coming back to coach the crap they have this year (nor can I see Wade sticking around to play with said crap).

The problem is Riley can't coach and GM at the same time. He falls into the same problem where he ditches all the young talent to recycle veterans he knows in a desperate attempt to keep a team that's imploding in the playoff hunt. He did it at the start of the decade after Hardaway aged, and did it again after the title.

As a GM, he's one of the best cap managers that exists. When he coach/GMs he gives max contracts to the Eddie Joneses and Brian Grants.

Spoelstra is just a marionette.

He's just warming up the coaching seat for Riley.

I'd think the only way he would come back is if they landed a combo of Bosh-Wade or Boozer-Wade this summer. I don't see him coming back to coach the crap they have this year (nor can I see Wade sticking around to play with said crap).

Agreed, he's said as much himself. If his return to the sidelines would keep Wade around and bring in another free agent, I don't think he'd hesitate to do it. As callous as it would be as far as Spoelstra's concerned, it would be a worthwhile move in that scenario.

Spoelstra made some awful decisions in the playoffs. But yeah I agree, Spo was just keeping the seat warm for Riley to go on another run for the title, that is if he's able to keep Wade and lure Bosh, Amare or Boozer to Miami.
Personally I wouldn't mind Riley taking over.

If Riley keeps bringing in people to do the dirty work so he can step in and win a title, it'll cause problems at some point where he'll have to destroy the Heat like he did at the start of the decade.

I would like if Riley returned. Spoelstra did all right, probably the best he could with this team, but Riley is one of the best coaches ever. I agree, that if they lure Bosh or Amar'e there, he would return. Although Spoelstra should definitely stay as an assistant.

i hope Riley will coach heat again!

Perhaps you guys are right that Riley shouldn't coach again, but I just don't Spoeltra coaching the team again. He couldn't bring sense of urgency when the guys needed it the most. I think he's bit too soft to coach the team. Needs somebody like Avery, Greg Pop, or Jerry Sloan.

You've got Jermaine O'Neal and Wade on your team. Soft is what defines them.

Needs somebody like Avery, Greg Pop, or Jerry Sloan.

I don't think a strong coaching personality like Avery Johnson would work with Riley working the front office though. It seems that Avery likes having his hands on every aspect of the team and I don't know if Riley is down with that. He usually hires guys that are just there for the coaching and nothing else.

I'd say so too. If Spoelstra's getting replaced anytime soon, I'd say it will be Riley again rather than an Avery Johnson, Byron Scott or Lawrence Frank.

riley made his mistakes in 2006-2007, 2007-2008, but he is the only guy, who has that strong charisma and he can bring the winning spirit in his guys, just what players need to win games! i hate what Spo did with Wade's and Beezy's time on the floor last year, but this year he does a much better job! but if You ask Me what would be the BEST coach for this team - i'd say - bring in Alonzo Mourning - this is the best role model in all the aspects of life and sports for every athlete, plus he has charisma (wich Spo deffinitely hasn't), knowledge and spirit! vote Zo for a new HEAT coach!

This guy is such a fucking twat.
Resigns every time he can see the lottery coming, and chucks in a coach to take over until the team is prepared to win again.

Leaves Spoelstra doing it tough with a bunch of shit players and contracts, of course he will come back and coach if they keep Wade + another star. No chance he comes back if they lose Wade.
What an ass. Fuck Miami.

This guy is such a fucking twat.
Resigns every time he can see the lottery coming, and chucks in a coach to take over until the team is prepared to win again.

Leaves Spoelstra doing it tough with a bunch of shit players and contracts, of course he will come back and coach if they keep Wade + another star. No chance he comes back if they lose Wade.
What an ass. Fuck Miami.

hey, why you put all shit on whole team?? it's Riley's thing! yes, if he comes back he would show that he a huge ass, but as a real Heat fan i want my team to win! so i don't care, i don't mind Spo coach next season cuz he does just fine in 2009-2010!

Riley already said in the interview that Spo will be back next season. Spo will get one more shot with the revamped roster, I guess.

This guy is such a fucking twat.
Resigns every time he can see the lottery coming, and chucks in a coach to take over until the team is prepared to win again.

Haha, lax relax, man. It's funny how you are seeing Riley from that angle.

What other angle is there to see him from? He is completely transparent in what he's doing.

He doesn't want to wreck his winning %, so he doesn't coach while the team sucks. It happened after 2006 title, and looks to happen again if Heat sign some good players.

I dont see how that's a bad thing. Players bail on teams all the time.

Getting a whole lot of worked up for him just being smart?

Agreed. Whatever Riley is thinking, I don't think people would care as long as Riley does his job as he used to, just like in his coaching days in the past. But I doubt he'll come back as a coach at this very moment.

agree with Jackal, Riley is smart guy, he gave his job to young man, just to rest a bit and, maybe, review his coaching strategy...and now he is ready. and he want to shine with great roster, cuz he's got a few years left as a coach and he knows that, and just don't wanna leave as looser (when ge gave up coaching job last season was terrible)

It should also be noted that Riley's return is purely speculation at the moment, based on his remark that he wouldn't rule out the possibility and him having replaced his replacement once before. It's a possibility of course, but we perhaps starting to treat it as a foregone conclusion when it may well never happen.

Indeed, especially when Riley even stated that Spoeltra will be back next season. Riley's 65 and the door is closing in pretty soon. It's understandable how he wants to coach a team before it's too late.

Besides, Riley I think is an obvious better coach than Spoeltra or Van Gund. Both wouldn't have gotten a shot if it wasn't for Riley. Riley's as a GM, should do what's best for the team, and the decision he made with Van Gund was applausive from Heat fans' standpoint. Result spoke in favor of Riley. As for Spoeltra, his contract expires next season, so we'll see.