Carlisle to Return as Pacers Coach
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowINDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Pacers are bringing a familiar face back to serve as head coach. The team has tapped Rick Carlisle, who led the Pacers from 2003-2007, to return to Indianapolis after serving as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
“Rick is a proven winner with a championship and will be a Hall of Fame coach,” Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said in a news release. “He has demonstrated throughout his career an ability to build something with sustainable success. He has great respect for our franchise and our fans from his previous times here. We are very happy to welcome him back to Indiana.”
The move was first reported by ESPN, which said Carlisle will sign a four-year, $29 million contract.
The upcoming season will be Carlisle’s 20th as a head coach in the NBA. Prior to joining the Pacers, he coached the Detroit Pistons from 2001-2003. He has compiled an 836-689 record during his career and ranks 15th in NBA history in coaching victories.
The announcement comes less than a month after the Pacers fired Nate Bjorkgren after just one season as head coach. Bjorkgren led the Pacers to a 34-38 record before being eliminated in the play-in tournament ahead of the NBA Playoffs.