Pacers’ Bird names ‘old-school’ McMillan coach

4:08 PM ET

INDIANAPOLIS — Larry Bird found the Indiana Pacers’ new voice on his own bench. Now Nate McMillan must show his old-school style will still resonate with today’s young players.

Bird promoted the 51-year-old McMillan to head coach Monday, hoping he will change the culture inside the locker room. The decision ends the search for Frank Vogel’s replacement after less than two weeks.

“We will respect the game,” McMillan said during a news conference. “What I mean by respect the game is that you mentally and physically have to prepare yourself to go out and play hard every single night.”

Nate McMillan has been an assistant coach with the Pacers since 2013 and has two previous head-coaching stints in the NBA. John Bazemore/AP Photo

The Pacers’ effort, or lack of it, was a constant source of frustration inside and outside Bankers Life Fieldhouse. And although McMillan sat on the same bench as Vogel’s top assistant the past three seasons, Bird found enough distinction in McMillan’s personality, style and background to make the change.

“I like what he did in Portland, I like the fact that he’s old-school, I like structure,” said Bird, the Pacers’ president of basketball operations. “I’m not saying Frank didn’t have those things, but I’ve always admired Nate from afar and that’s why it didn’t take me long to decide to bring him in here.”

After spending all 12 of his playing seasons in Seattle, McMillan put together a solid track record in 12 seasons as a head coach with …

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