"The interim tag will officially come off Frank Vogel's name today when Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird introduces him as coach of the team, according to multiple persons with knowledge of the situation.

Vogel's contract is for three years with a team option on the third year.

It has been no secret Vogel, 38, would be named coach.

Bird called him the frontrunner at the end of the season after Vogel took over for the fired Jim O'Brien in January and led the Pacers to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

The Pacers were beaten 4-1 by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs, but they were competitive in three of the four losses.

Vogel likely would have been named coach weeks ago, but Bird wanted him to assemble an experienced coaching staff to help on the court and in a locker room that had chemistry problems at times last season."