The 2008–09 Miami Heat season was the 21st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Following a disastrous 15-67 season, Pat Riley resigned as head coach, and assistant coach Erik Spoelstra was promoted to become the new head coach; he was the youngest NBA head coach at the time of his hiring. With a healthy Dwyane Wade back in the lineup, the Heat greatly improved on their regular season record and returned to the playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks in seven games, all of which were decided by double-digit margins.