Pacers President Larry Bird resigns

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Larry Bird has resigned from the Indiana Pacers, the team announced Wednesday.

Donnie Walsh will return to the team, taking Bird's spot and Kevin Pritchard will become general manager for the organization.

"There’s a number of reasons why I’m leaving," Bird said.

PHOTOS | Take a look back at Bird's career.

Without going into all the reasons for his departure, Bird noted he has medical concerns, including his back and shoulder. He has no immediate career plans but said he is taking a year off.

"I’ve been honored to be here for nine years and three years of coaching. When Donnie left ... I knew it was going to be one of my biggest challenges ever, and boy was I right," Bird said.

The news comes one day before the NBA draft. Despite his planned departure, Bird emphatically said he would run the draft from the Pacers side.

Walsh returns to the Pacers as president after leaving the organization in 2008. Pritchard comes on as general manager after serving in that role in Portland and being fired.

"I didn't want Donnie to leave when he left the first time," Pacers owner Herb Simon said. "I just don't like people to leave."

Bird was the first person to be named NBA Executive of the Year, NBA MVP and NBA Coach of the Year. He earned the Executive of the Year honor this past season. 

He served as head coach of the Pacers from 1997 to 2000. In his first season as coach, the team made it to the conference finals and Bird was named Coach of the Year. Bird said Wednesday it was a highlight of his career to have the team get so far.

After three years, Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations. Shortly after, the Pacers-Piston brawl sent the team on a downward spiral.

The Pacers were on an upturn the past few years, with the team making the playoffs the past two seasons. Many credit Bird with that success.

"This job's a little tougher," Bird said Wednesday of his executive position compared to coaching.

Rumors had surfaced throughout the past season about Bird’s departure, but the team and Bird continually denied them and said a decision would be made after the season.

Pacers owner Herb Simon said the team would miss Bird.

"Larry could have stayed here as long as he wants, but he has his own reasons," Simon said. "The Pacers organization appreciates everything he's done over the past nine years and wishes him his best."