http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...502/1247/SPORTSThe Indiana Pacers' coaching search is picking up steam. The Pacers interviewed assistant coach Chuck Person on Friday and, according to multiple media reports, plan to talk to Chicago assistant Jim Boylan once the Bulls are eliminated from the playoffs.Person is the first internal candidate to interview with team president Larry Bird. Fellow assistant Johnny Davis also is interested but has not been contacted."The opportunity to coach this team would be an honor since this is the organization that drafted me out of college," Person said. "It would be a great challenge, but I've fully prepared myself the last few years as an assistant coach coupled with my 14 years of playing experience. I'm ready to meet those challenges."Person spent six years playing for the Pacers, three in their front office and the past two years as an assistant under former coach Rick Carlisle. This past season he coached the defense. The Pacers finished 12th in the league in field goal percentage allowed, fourth in blocks, 11th in steals and seventh in forcing turnovers."The fact that I played for some great coaches like Gregg Popovich and Jack Ramsay, and had a chance to spend the past two seasons working under a great coach in Rick Carlisle, really gave me an opportunity to learn what it takes to be a head coach," Person said.The Pacers are waiting for the Bulls to finish their playoff run so they can ask for permission to talk to Boylan, who is coach Scott Skiles' lead assistant. Boylan has two years remaining on his contract.Boylan previously was an assistant with Phoenix, Cleveland, the Grizzlies and Cleveland."He'd be a fantastic head coach," Skiles told the Chicago Tribune last month. "He's more than qualified. He's a hard worker who knows the game and is creative. He works well with players. Somebody should hire him."Person and Boylan are among the five known candidates. The Pacers also have talked to former Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy and have received permission to talk to Lakers assistant Brian Shaw.The Pacers still are waiting to get permission to talk to Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell, who is regarded as their top choice. Raptors officials have said they want to re-sign Mitchell, who is under contract until June 30.
