WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Pat Riley said Wednesday he is conflicted about whether he can continue as both president and coach of the Miami Heat, but he also said a media report that he was leaning toward quitting as coach is wrong, the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported Thursday.

“Don’t ask me that question,’’ Riley said when asked if he would stay on as coach for the rest of his contract, the newspaper reported. “ ... Just let things work its way out.’’

Riley is under contract as a coach and executive through the 2009-10 season.

In August, Riley — the third-winningest coach in NBA history — made a commitment to the Heat, saying he would coach three more years.

Riley had earlier said to give himself "one big fat F" for his work as an executive, but he said Wednesday his performance as a coach has been worse, the Post reported.

“Probably my coaching decisions have been worse than my personnel decisions, because they happen all the time every night, 100 games a year,’’ Riley said, the newspaper reported.

The losing and general disarray of the franchise may be taking a roll on Riley.

With an aging Shaquille O'Neal, injury-prone star Dwyane Wade and an overall lack of talent on their roster, the Heat (8-27) have the league's second-worst record. They are mired in an eight-game losing streak, the latest loss being a 101-91 setback to the league-worst Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuessday.

“I’ve done a very poor job in filling the spots that needed to be filled around Shaquille and Dwyane,” Riley said earlier, the Post reported.

The Heat's dramatic fall has come just two seasons after Riley guided the franchise to their first NBA title.

Riley, 62, also guided the Heat to the Southeast Division title last season. But it was a trying campaign for Riley, who left the team for 22 games at midseason to undergo hip and knee surgeries.

Riley has posted a 447-355 record in 11 seasons as Heat coach.  He owns a career mark of 1,203-654 in 24 seasons overall with the Lakers, New York Knicks and Heat.

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