Donnie Walsh Returns To Pacers To Replace Retiring Larry Bird

Pacers Re-Hire Donnie Walsh, Tab Kevin Pritchard To Take Over For Larry Bird

The Indiana Pacers front office was due for an overhaul, but not many expected it all to take place over the course of a couple of days. Reigning Executive of the Year Larry Bird officially announced his retirement on Wednesday morning, just one day after general manager David Morway resigned, as the Pacers held a press conference to announce Donnie Walsh and Kevin Pritchard as their replacements.

To recap: Larry Bird has stepped down as President, Donnie Walsh has returned as President and Kevin Pritchard is now the General Manager.

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 27, 2012

This won't be the first time Indiana will be under the watchful eye of Walsh, as its "new" president of basketball operations spent the majority of the last two decades at the top of the Pacers' basketball operations department.

Pritchard had been in Indiana as Director of Player Personnel after previously being general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers.

It's not the greatest timing with Thursday night's NBA Draft looming, of course, but the Indy Star's Mike Wells reports that Bird will stick around to handle draft-day duties.

For more on the Pacers, visit Indy Cornrows and SB Nation Indiana.

Larry Bird To Leave Pacers, According To Report

The curious future of Larry Bird, the reigning NBA Executive of the Year and a man just seeing his blueprint turn into a real, contending team, has taken another turn as Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports that Bird will on Tuesday finalize his departure from the club in a meeting with team owner Herb Simon. Reports during the season suggested that Bird would be out, but those dissipated once Bird fired general manager David Morway with the aim of elevating Kevin Pritchard, Portland's former general manager.

More recently, rumors put Donnie Walsh, Bird's long-time partner in crime, back in Indiana. Wells reports that Walsh may take Bird's position and Pritchard would ascend to that of Morway.

Bird's reasons for stepping away appear to be health-related, but no specific ailment is given.

Bird's moves, including signing David West, drafting Paul George and trading for Darren Collison and George Hill, gave the Pacers their first playoff series win in six years in 2012.

For more on the Pacers, visit Indy Cornrows and SB Nation Indiana.

Larry Bird Will Promote Kevin Pritchard To Pacers New GM, According To Report

Larry Bird is expected to promote director of player personnel Kevin Pritchard to general manager as soon as he finalizes his new deal as president of the Indiana Paccers, according to a Yahoo! Sports report. Pritchard will replace David Morway.

Larry Bird Will Leave The Indiana Pacers After The Season, According To Report

Indiana Pacers team president Larry Bird will step down following the season, according to a report.