RICK CARLISLE
INDIANA PACERS HEAD COACH
Rick Carlisle is the Head Coach of the Indiana Pacers. On June 30, 2021, Carlisle returned to the Indiana Pacers as the 17th Head Coach* in Pacers history.
Prior to his return with the Pacers, Coach Carlisle was the Head Coach of the Dallas Mavericks (2008-2021), where he led the team to a cumulative regular season record of 555-478, nine NBA Playoffs berths (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021), and winning the team’s first NBA Championship (2011). Prior to joining the Mavericks, he was the Head Coach of the Indiana Pacers (2003-2007), where he led the team to a cumulative regular season record of 181-147 and three consecutive NBA Playoff berths (2004, 2005, 2006) and an NBA Conference Finals appearance (2004). Prior to joining the Pacers, he was the Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons (2001-2003) where he led the team to a cumulative regular season record of 100-64 and two consecutive NBA Playoff berths and an NBA Conference Finals appearance (2003). Prior to joining the Pistons, he was an Assistant Coach for the Pacers under Head Coach Larry Bird (1997-2000), where he helped the team reach three consecutive NBA Conference Finals appearances and an NBA Finals appearance (2000). Prior to joining the Pacers, he was an Assistant Coach for the Trail Blazers under Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo (1994-1997), where he helped the team reach a 49-33 regular season record (1997) and three consecutive NBA Playoffs berths. Prior to joining the Trail Blazers, Coach Carlisle was an Assistant Coach for the New Jersey Nets under Head Coaches Bill Fitch (1989-1992) and Chuck Daly (1992-1994), where he helped the team reach three consecutive NBA Playoffs berths (1992, 1993,1994).
Rick Carlisle was born on October 27, 1959, in Ogdensburg, New York. He attended and played at the University of Maine and the University of Virginia, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During Coach Carlisle’s time at the University of Virgina he was the co-captain of the Cavaliers’ 1984 Final Four team. Coach Carlisle was selected in the third round by the Boston Celtics in the 1984 NBA Draft and went on to also play for the Knicks and Nets.
*Inclusive of Full-Time and Interim Head Coaches