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Erik Spoelstra has agreed to a long-term extension with the Miami Heat, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Story filed: Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has agreed to a long-term contract extension, league sources tell ESPN. Spoelstra, who had one year left on deal, quietly negotiated extension that's been finalized on the eve of his 12th season as head coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 28, 2019
Erik Spoelstra became head coach of the Heat in 2008. He has a regular season record of 523-363 with Miami and a postseason mark of 71-47.
Spoelstra has won two titles with the Heat. He's universally recognized as one of the best coaches in the NBA. Spoelstra is the league's second-longest tenured coach with one team behind San Antonio's Gregg Popovich.
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Spoelstra, 48, has spent his entire professional life with the Heat, starting in the video room and working his way up as an advanced scout and eventually the assistant coaching staff before replacing Heat president Pat Riley in 2008 as head coach.
The Heat missed the playoffs last season, but made a big splash this summer by acquiring four-time All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler from the Phiadelphia 76ers. Spoelstra and Riley believe Butler is the perfect guy to carry the franchise in the post-Dwyane Wade era.
The Heat are confident Butler will be on his best behavior in South Beach since he’s playing for Riley and Spoelstra. Butler averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from beyond the arc and 85.5 percent from the free-throw line.
