Former Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy turned down the opportunity to be the Pacers' next head coach.

?It?s true, I decided against it,? Van Gundy said when reached by telephone this afternoon. ?The Pacers are a great organization. The best thing about the whole situation were the people. Larry (Bird), Donnie (Walsh) and (David) Morway are all great people.?

Van Gundy, who is under contract with the Heat until the end of next season, met with Pacers officials twice and told them he would make a decision by the middle of this week.

The Pacers have also interviewed Johnny Davis, Chuck Person and Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw.