[Windmill360]

Riley says he's committed to coaching

Associated Press, Updated 1 hour ago STORY TOOLS:



MIAMI (AP) - Pat Riley vowed months ago to demand a bigger commitment from the Miami Heat this coming season.

And he didn't just mean from the players, either.
Riley said Monday that he plans to coach the Heat for the three remaining years on his contract, an announcement that ends months of speculation about his immediate future. He'll remain in the dual role of team president as well.

"I will coach those out," Riley said. "I will try to coach those out, unless somebody else makes a decision on me. That's a commitment that I want to make to the organization."

The 62-year-old Riley gave up coaching in 2003, then returned two years later — when Stan Van Gundy stepped down in December 2005 — and led Miami to the 2006 NBA title. But the Heat were swept out of this past season's playoffs by the Chicago Bulls, and Riley was noncommittal for months about whether he'd remain on the sideline.

But after discussions with his family, Riley is staying put.

"We finally have come to the decision that this is what I love doing," Riley said. "It also works best for us right now and so I'm just going to keep moving forward with it."

The announcement means Riley will coach through the 2009-10 season — matching the length of Shaquille O'Neal's contract with Miami. Dwyane Wade, the 2006 finals MVP, can also opt out of his contract following that season.

"We hope that over the next three years ... that we're going to be a contender," Riley said. "And then after that, we'll re-evaluate the whole situation."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7119298?MSNHPHMA