Spoelstra is the youngest current head coach in the NBA
MIAMI, Fla. --- Former University of Portland standout guard Erik Spoelstra was named the head coach of the Miami Heat on Monday, succeeding Pat Riley who retired from the bench but will remain with the franchise in the capacity of team president. Spoelstra, a 1992 graduate of Portland, has served as an assistant coach with the Heat since 1997.
Spoelstra joined the franchise in 1995 as video coordinator and was promoted to assistant coach/video coordinator two years later. His name has been prominently mentioned by team insiders and the media as the probable successor to Riley. The rumors became reality on Monday.
"This game is now about younger coaches who are technologically skilled, innovative and bring fresh new ideas," Riley said. "That's what we feel we are getting with Erik Spoelstra. He's a man that was born to coach."
"I look forward to the challenge," said Spoelstra, who received word of the decision over the weekend.
As president, Riley will continue overseeing the plan to rebuild a franchise that's just two years removed from a championship, after deciding that he'd best benefit the franchise by working exclusively from the front office.
The on-court duties now belong to Spoelstra, who started in the Heat video room in 1995.
"While we are always looking for NBA talent to perform on the court, the most important talent that you may find has to perform on the bench, in the locker room, late at night, watching film, motivating and executing all the responsibilities of a head coach," Riley said. "I believe Erik Spoelstra is one of the most talented young coaches to come around in a long time."
A native of Portland and Jesuit High School, Spoelstra played on The Bluff from 1988-92 and is among the school’s career leaders in a variety of categories. He is third all-time in assists (488), tied for third in three-pointers made (156) and sixth in both three-point percentage (.384) and free throw percentage (.824). A three-year starter and West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year in 1989, Spoelstra is also a member of the 1,000-point club.
