The Miami Heat announced that President and Head Coach Pat Riley will take an indefinite leave of absence beginning today to address health issues pertaining to his hip and knee.

Riley, who guided the HEAT to its first NBA championship last June, has been bothered recently by pain in both his right knee and left hip. He will undergo treatment during his medical leave.

Riley has compiled a 1,164-606 (.658) career regular season record and a 171-107 (.615) career postseason record en route to capturing five NBA championships as a head coach. The winningest coach in HEAT history, Riley has compiled a 408-307 (.571) regular season mark with Miami and led the HEAT to its only NBA championship in 2006.

No timetable has been set on his return.

Assistant Coach Ron Rothstein, in his 27th NBA season, will take over the head coaching reigns on an interim basis. Rothstein previously served as the HEAT’s first head coach for three seasons from 1988-91 and served as the acting head coach for two games during the 2006-07 season when Riley left the team for personal reasons. Rothstein also served as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons during the 1992-93 season and was the Head Coach and General Manager for the Miami SOL of the WNBA during its three-year existence.

Fans are discussing the development in this forum thread.