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The 10 Greatest Coaches in Indiana Pacers History

By Jon Washburn

Mar 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel calls out a play from the bench in the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Brooklyn Nets beat the Indiana Pacers by the score of 123-111. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel calls out a play from the bench in the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Brooklyn Nets beat the Indiana Pacers by the score of 123-111. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Pacers Frank Vogel
Mar 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel calls out a play from the bench in the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Brooklyn Nets beat the Indiana Pacers by the score of 123-111. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indiana Pacers have had many coaches over the years, fourteen to be exact. Some, like Larry Bird and Larry Brown are NBA legends. Others would only be recognized by the most hardcore of Pacers historians.

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On February 27, Frank Vogel rose to the top of the group by registering his 191st NBA win.

With such a milestone in mind, we decided to look at all of the coaches in the organization’s history and decide, once and for all, where each one ranks.

We start off with the “honorable mentions” — the four coaches who achieved little (though one gained some infamy). Yes, they technically coached the team at some point, but, no, nobody will ever look back fondly at the memories their teams created.

George Irvine
George Irvine /

Overall: 54-130

  • 1984-85: 22-60  Last in the East
  • 1985-86: 26-56  10th (out of 11) in the East
  • 1988-89: 6-14  Hired and fired mid-season

Irvine wasn’t all that memorable, and didn’t really accomplish much for the Indiana Pacers. Even though his teams competed in a loaded Eastern Conference, his .293 winning percentage remains the worst for anyone that coached more than two games.

#13. Mel Daniels

Mel Daniels
Mel Daniels /

Overall: 0-2

  • 1988-89: 0-2  Hired and fired mid-season

Mel Daniels came in and helped the Indiana Pacers during their turbulent 1989 campaign, which saw a staggering three different coaches get fired. Daniels never won a game for the Pacers, but it would be ludicrous to place the Pacers great in last place on any list.

#12. Jim O’Brien

Jim O'Brien
Jim O'Brien /

Overall: 121-169

  • 2007-08: 36-46  9th (out of 15) in the East
  • 2008-09: 36-46  9th (out of 15) in the East
  • 2009-10: 32-50  10th (out of 15) in the East

Not only were Jim O’Brien’s teams stuck in perpetual mediocrity, but he should also be credited for nearly killing professional basketball in a state that loves the sport more than almost anything else. O’Brien is so hated by Pacers fans, many will probably comment on this post that he should bring up the rear in last place.

#11. Dick Versace

Overall: 73-87  Playoff Record: 0-3

Dick Versace
Dick Versace /
  • 1988-89: 22-31  10th (out of 12) in the East
  • 1989-90: 42-40  8th (out of 13) in the East | 0-3 in playoffs
  • 1990-91: 9-16  Fired mid-season

While Versace did help get the Indiana Pacers to the playoffs in back to back seasons, it might be argued that he underachieved considering the talented roster that he inherited. The 1990 Indiana Pacers featured five guys (Reggie Miller, Detlef Schrempf, Chuck Person, Rik Smits, and Vern Fleming) that averaged more than 14 points a game, yet the team barely finished above .500.

Next: Up Next: #10. The Original

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