An 0-7 Start Is Too Much for Pacers’ Ramsay, He Quits

INDIANAPOLIS —  Jack Ramsay, whose team was winless this season, resigned Thursday as coach of the Indiana Pacers, saying the enjoyment was gone.

“I didn’t like the direction the team was taking, and it wasn’t enjoyable anymore,” said Ramsay, who has coached a record 1,647 games and was 0-7 this season.

The decision by Ramsay, 63, in his 21st season, was announced as the Pacers prepared to leave Phoenix for tonight’s game against the Clippers.

The club said a decision on a replacement would likely be made before its next home game against Milwaukee Tuesday. Assistant coaches Mel Daniels and Dave Twardzik will guide the team against the Clippers and the Sacramento Kings Saturday.

The Pacers have lost their games this season by an average of 11.7 points. The latest loss came Wednesday night, 123-104, at Phoenix. Club President Donnie Walsh met with Ramsay after the game.

“I think between the way the team ended the season last year and the way the team began the season this year, he just doesn’t feel it’s enjoyable (or) that he is the guy to get them to win,” Walsh said.

Indiana made the playoffs in 1987, finishing 41-41 in Ramsay’s debut with the club. But it slipped to 38-44 last season and missed the playoffs.

Walsh said: “I could see that the team wasn’t responding, and basically it looked like they weren’t going to. For a coach that’s a torture chamber and from the standpoint of management it becomes a problem.”