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Vogel thanks Pacers organization, fans after being let go

Greg M. Cooper / USA TODAY Sports

A few short hours after learning that the Indiana Pacers will not renew his contract, now-unemployed head coach Frank Vogel released a statement through his agent, thanking the organization and its fans.

"I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the Simon family, Larry Bird, and the entire Indiana Pacers organization for giving me the opportunity to serve as the head coach of this team for the past six seasons," Vogel said. "This is one of the top-flight organizations in the National Basketball Association and I truly enjoyed every minute I spent as the leader of this group of men."

Vogel's five-and-a-half-year tenure in Indiana was his first head-coaching gig, after spending eight years as an assistant with the Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics.

He led the Pacers to the playoffs in five of the six seasons (twice taking them to the Eastern Conference finals), and the only season in which they fell short was the one that saw Paul George play just six games after snapping his leg. All told, Vogel amassed a 250-181 regular-season record, and a 31-30 playoff record.

"During my time with the Pacers, we made a lot of positive memories and none that would have been possible without the support of Larry, the front office, and all of the players I had the opportunity to coach," he said. "We consistently battled through thick and thin, and that is something that I am very proud of."

With several head-coaching jobs around the league still vacant, there's a strong chance Vogel will have another job on the sidelines next season. But he would've preferred to keep the job he already had, and pleaded with Larry Bird to let him do so.

Bird declined, and so Vogel will have to pack up and move from the place he's called home for nearly a decade.

"I want to give a huge thanks to Pacers fans in Indiana and across the country," he said. "You all have treated my family and me with kindness and class throughout our time here and I can't thank you enough for that. My family and I consider Indianapolis home and this community will always hold a special place in our hearts."

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