Pat Riley now sounds like a coach who not only will return for next season, but probably will remain as the Heat coach as long as Shaquille O'Neal is under contract, which is through the 2009-10 season.

''My plans are to come back,'' said Riley, who also serves as the Heat team president. ``I've got three years left on my contract, and [Heat owner] Micky [Arison] and I have a great relationship. He has always told me I can work here as long as I want. I have no plans on ever going to another franchise. This is my home now, and this is my team and this is my city. I would never put Micky in a position where I'm always hanging him out to dry by not letting him know if I'm coming back or not. I think he wants me to coach this team. I think he wants me to run this franchise, or at least the operations side of this franchise. And that's what I plan on doing. It would take something drastic for me to go the other way.''