MIAMI - Pat Riley ended months of speculation on Wednesday by announcing that he would return to coach the NBA champion Miami Heat for another season.

The 61-year-old Riley issued a statement saying he would return to coach the team in 2006-07 after keeping his plans quiet over the summer.

"After winning the championship, I realised there's always something meaningful that happens in your life that becomes the primary point of your destiny," Riley said.

"Winning the championship showed me that I am definitely in the right place, at the right time, with the right people. I can't wait to get started."

The Heat have basically the same players who won the title returning this season, so Riley, who also serves as team president, wanted to be a part of Miami trying to repeat as NBA champions.

A former player, Riley took over the team in December after Stan Van Gundy resigned for personal reasons. It was his first title since 1988, fifth as a head coach and seventh overall. He won one as a player and another as an assistant coach.

Riley enters the season with 1,322 coaching wins, including 171 in the playoffs, ranking him second all-time to Lenny Wilkens.