Rick Carlisle Secures Multiyear Extension with the Indiana Pacers
Rick Carlisle, head coach of the Indiana Pacers, has secured a multiyear extension with the team, a development confirmed by sources to ESPN. This announcement comes on the heels of Carlisle’s successful leadership, which led the Pacers to their first appearance in the NBA Finals in 25 years last season.
Coaching Career Overview
Originally serving as the team’s coach from 2003 to 2007, Carlisle was an assistant coach during the Pacers’ last Finals run in 2000 under Larry Bird. After a successful tenure that included a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, he returned to Indiana in 2021.
Following the retirement of Gregg Popovich and the dismissal of Tom Thibodeau by the New York Knicks—who fell to Carlisle and the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals—Carlisle, now 65, holds the distinction of being the oldest active head coach in the NBA.
Career Achievements
Carlisle boasts a career regular season record of 993 wins against 860 losses, placing him on track to become the 11th coach in NBA history to reach the 1,000-win milestone early in the upcoming season. He ranks second among active coaches in regular season victories, trailing only Doc Rivers, and stands 10th overall in playoff victories with 86, following Rivers, Erik Spoelstra, and Steve Kerr.
Impactful Trades and Playoff Success
During his inaugural season back with the Pacers, Carlisle orchestrated a key trade that sent Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton. This pivotal move played a significant role in propelling the Pacers back into the playoffs, culminating in their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals in ten years.
In a remarkable playoff run, Indiana eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks, earning their spot in the championship series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although they put forth a valiant effort, the Pacers ultimately fell to the Thunder in a thrilling seven-game series, which will see Haliburton sidelined for next season due to an Achilles injury.
Additional Contributions
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Carlisle previously won an NBA championship as a player with the Boston Celtics in 1986 and has played for teams including the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks. Furthermore, he serves as the president of the National Basketball Coaches Association. The news of Carlisle’s contract extension was first reported by NBA journalist Marc Stein.
