Ira Winderman of the SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL reports today that Pat Riley “is leaning toward stepping aside after this season” as coach of the Miami Heat.

This is the same Riley who said on Aug. 18, “I’m going to coach another three years, the terms of my contract. … I don’t want to be a one-and-done guy every year. I have three years left on my contract and I will coach those out.”

Riley has apparently had a change of heart *shock*. We’re sure the Heat’s 8-27 record has nothing to do with that. At least that’s what Riley would have you believe in his comments to Winderman.

On his impending resignation as coach, Riley said “Sometimes, just with me, I feel like now, more than ever, I might be butting heads with both jobs. I was much better, I believe, just as a president, because I wasn’t having to deal with the personalities.”

Riley didn’t seem to have that problem two seasons ago, when he wrested the reigns of the team away from Stan Van Gundy and rode Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade to a championship - after he had quit on the team the season before.

But Heat fans have to be heartened at the prospect of Riley’s replacement, who Winderman reports will likely to be the ultimate retread, Mike Fratello, or Riley assistant (and shoeshine boy), 37-year-old Erik Spoelstra.

Somewhere in the hills of Tuscany, Jerry Buss is beaming (over a stem of Pinot Noir and chilled plate of Mozzarella).