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(Sports Network) - Despite tough economic times, the Heat have extended the contract of coach Erik Spoelstra, according to the Miami Herald.
Spoelstra, who reportedly received a three-year contract when he was named the team's head coach in April of 2008, did not disclose terms of the extension to the newspaper but it is believed to be for one year.
The extension was a bit of a surprise since all the employees in Miami's basketball operations, including president Pat Riley, accepted voluntary pay cuts in order to eliminate projected layoffs.
Spoelstra, the NBA's youngest current head coach at 38, first joined the Heat in 1995 as the team's video coordinator. After two years, he was named assistant coach/video coordinator, then promoted to assistant coach/advance scout in 1999, before becoming the assistant coach/director of scouting in 2001. Riley then named him as his successor before last season.
Spoelstra helped the Heat bounce back from an ugly 15-67 mark in 2007-08. The Heat improved to a 43-39 record last year and earned a playoff berth before being bounced by Atlanta in seven games during the first round.
In addition to the extension, Spoelstra also updated the status of troubled second-year forward Michael Beasley. The coach confirmed Beasley left a Houston area rehabilitation facility Sunday and was at AmericanAirlines Arena on Monday, where players were working out informally.
"He's ready to go. He's excited," Spoelstra told the Herald. "We're 100 percent behind him. We've invested in him not only financially but emotionally. He really had a terrific summer of development."
Beasley, who is in the league's substance-abuse program after a marijuana incident at the NBA's rookie symposium last summer, averaged 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds during his rookie season.
The Heat begins training camp on September 29.
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