According to ESPN, the Indiana Pacers have completed the signing of Toronto Raptors’ assistance Nate Bjorkgren as their head coach. According to inside sources, Bjorkgren convinced the Pacers of his history of innovation, adaptability, and winning—particularly during his time under the tutelage of NBA Coach of the Year Nick Nurse.
Prior to his time at the Raptors, Bjorkgren was the assistant coach of the Phoenix Suns from 2015 to 2017. Before that, he was a coach in the NBA G League, leading the likes of Iowa Energy, the Santa Cruz Warriors, and Bakersfield Jam. In 2011, he won the G League title with Iowa, while making it to the G League Finals with Santa Cruz just two years later.
The decision to hire Bjorkgren comes just weeks after the Pacers dismissed the previous coach Nate McMillan after seven years of service (three as an assistant coach and four as head coach). During his time as Pacers’ coach, McMillan took the team to the NBA Playoffs in each of his first four seasons in charge. He racked up a 183-136 record in Indiana.
With the Pacers failing to make the NBA Playoffs in 2020, Bjorkgren will be tasked with returning this team to their former glory.
