Jim O'Brien, who served as the Boston Celtics' head coach from 2000-2004, was fired after three and a half seasons at the helm of the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
The decision to fire O'Brien, who guided Indiana to a 17-27 record this season, came from former Celtics star and current Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. O'Brien was 121-169 in four seasons in Indiana. Bird has named assistant coach Frank Vogel as the team's interim head coach.
"We came home to Orlando, and really, the game was over in the first three minutes," Bird said. "So that's when I really started thinking that we really probably needed to do something. I called Mr. Simon up and he said, 'whatever you want to do' and so, here we are." (via ESPN)
O'Brien owns a record of 303-327 in nine seasons as an NBA head coach. During his tenure with the Celtics, O'Brien posted a 139-119 record. His best season came in 2001-02 when he led Boston to a 49-33 record and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. O'Brien resigned as the Celtics coach in 2004 after philosophical differences with Celtics general manager Danny Ainge.
Following his four seasons in Boston, O'Brien made a pit stop in Philadelphia in 2004-05, guiding the 76ers to 43-39 record. O'Brien was fired after only one season with the 76ers, and proceeded to take the job as the Pacers' head coach in 2007.