Celtics Get Their Man; Carr Appoints Himself To Resurrect Franchise

M.L. Carr was chosen as coach of the Boston Celtics Monday, ending a 33-day search he conducted as the team’s director of basketball operations.

Carr, who has never coached in the NBA, had been the team’s director of community relations until last June, when he was named executive vice president and assumed responsibility for player personnel decisions.

“It’s an open question as to whether or not M.L. can coach,” Celtics chairman of the board Paul Gaston said. “I think we’re all going to have fun finding out.”

Carr had one year added to the three seasons remaining on his contract and will handle both jobs.

Brian Winters was hired as the first coach of the NBA’s expansion Vancouver Grizzlies.

Winters, 43, signed a three-year contract after serving as an assistant for nine years in Cleveland and Atlanta under Lenny Wilkens.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of shaping an NBA franchise in a brand-new market,” Winters said. “I take a lot of pride in what I do, and hopefully that will be transcended to the players.”

Dave Wohl, Miami’s executive vice president, has confirmed he wants Pat Riley to coach the Heat. Wohl said he had not spoken to Riley, nor had he asked the New York Knicks for permission to speak with their former coach.

Riley resigned with one year remaining on his contract, which prevents him from coaching elsewhere in the 1995-96 season without permission of the Knicks.

The Houston Rockets have decided not to pick up the option on Carl Herrera’s contract, making the often injured forward an unrestricted free agent.