Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Rick Carlisle

How Rick Carlisle built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Rick Carlisle is an American basketball coach and former player currently the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. He previously coached the Detroit Pistons and, most notably, the Dallas Mavericks, leading them to an NBA Championship in 2011. As a player, he had stints with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and New Jersey Nets. Carlisle is one of a select few individuals who have won an NBA title as both a player and a coach, highlighting his success and longevity in the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1984: Limited Reserve Role with Celtics

From 1984 to 1987, Rick Carlisle played a limited reserve role with the Boston Celtics.

1984: Drafted by Boston Celtics

In 1984, Rick Carlisle was drafted 70th overall by the Boston Celtics in the NBA draft.

1986: NBA Championship with Celtics

In 1986, Rick Carlisle won an NBA championship as a player with the Boston Celtics.

1987: Departure from Celtics

From 1984 to 1987, Rick Carlisle played a limited reserve role with the Boston Celtics.

1989: Played for New Jersey Nets

In 1989, Rick Carlisle played in five games for the New Jersey Nets under coach Bill Fitch.

1989: Assistant Coach with New Jersey Nets

Later in 1989, Rick Carlisle accepted an assistant coaching position with the New Jersey Nets.

1994: Assistant Coach with Portland Trail Blazers

In 1994, Rick Carlisle joined the assistant coaching staff with the Portland Trail Blazers.

1997: Assistant Coach with Indiana Pacers

In 1997, Rick Carlisle joined the Indiana Pacers organization as an assistant coach.

1999: NBA Finals Run

In the 1999–2000 season, the Pacers made the NBA Finals for the first time, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.

2000: Pacers NBA Finals Appearance

In 2000, the Pacers made their first NBA Finals appearance since the 2025 season when Rick Carlisle coached them to the finals.

2000: NBA Finals Appearance with Pacers

In the 1999-2000 season, the Pacers made the NBA Finals for the first time, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Larry Bird stepped down and pushed for Carlisle as a replacement, but the job was given to Isiah Thomas.

2001: Hired as Head Coach of Detroit Pistons

For the 2001–02 season, Rick Carlisle was hired by the Detroit Pistons to be their new head coach.

2003: Returned to Pacers as Head Coach

For the 2003–04 season, Rick Carlisle returned to the Indiana Pacers as head coach.

2005: Contract Extension and Executive Vice President Title

In 2005, despite a .500 record, Rick Carlisle was signed to a multiyear contract extension and given the title of executive vice president of basketball operations by the Pacers.

June 12, 2007: Resigned from Front Office Post

On June 12, 2007, Rick Carlisle resigned from his post in the front office of the Indiana Pacers.

May 9, 2008: Signed with Dallas Mavericks

On May 9, 2008, Rick Carlisle signed a four-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks to become their head coach.

2010: Strengthening the Mavericks Roster

In 2010, Dallas acquired Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojaković, Corey Brewer, J.J Barea and Ian Mahinmi to strengthen the team.

May 8, 2011: Swept Lakers in Semifinals

On May 8, 2011, Rick Carlisle coached the Dallas Mavericks to sweep the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.

May 25, 2011: Conference Finals Victory

On May 25, 2011, Rick Carlisle led the Mavericks to a 4-1 series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals, marking his first conference finals victory and leading to his first NBA Finals appearance.

2011: NBA Championship as Mavericks Head Coach

In 2011, Rick Carlisle won the NBA Finals as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, defeating the Miami Heat 4-2. He is one of only 14 people to win an NBA championship as both a player and a coach.

2011: Carlisle's Mavericks overcome deficit

In 2011, the Dallas Mavericks, coached by Rick Carlisle, rallied and won against the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Finals, tying for the largest overcome fourth quarter deficit in a finals match at the time. In 2025, the Pacers, under Carlisle's guidance, matched this feat.

2011: NBA Finals Victory

In the 2011 NBA Finals, Rick Carlisle coached the Mavericks to a 4–2 series victory over the Miami Heat, securing the franchise's first championship.

May 2012: New Four-Year Deal with Mavericks

In May 2012, Rick Carlisle agreed to a new four-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

2012: Pacers reach conference finals

In 2012, the Pacers reached the conference finals. They reached consecutive conference finals until 2014, and did not reach consecutive conference finals again until 2025.

2013: Pacers reach conference finals

In 2013, the Pacers reached the conference finals. They reached consecutive conference finals until 2014, and did not reach consecutive conference finals again until 2025.

2014: Led Mavericks Back to Playoffs

In 2014, Rick Carlisle led the Mavericks back to the playoffs as the eighth seed, where they lost in seven games to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

January 30, 2015: Recorded 600th Win

On January 30, 2015, Rick Carlisle recorded his 600th win as a coach in a game against the Miami Heat.

November 1, 2015: Became Winningest Coach in Mavericks History

On November 1, 2015, Rick Carlisle recorded his 340th win as coach of the Mavericks, passing Don Nelson as the winningest coach in franchise history.

2015: Lost to Houston Rockets in First Round

In 2015, the Mavericks finished 50–32, but were defeated in five games by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

2016: Lost to Oklahoma City Thunder

In 2016, the Mavericks finished sixth in the Western Conference, but were defeated in five games by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.

December 2, 2017: Recorded 700th Win

On December 2, 2017, Rick Carlisle recorded his 700th win as an NBA coach in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

2018: Mavericks Traded for Luka Dončić

During the 2018 NBA draft, the Mavericks, coached by Rick Carlisle, traded for Luka Dončić and drafted Jalen Brunson.

2019: Mavericks Acquired Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porziņģis

In 2019, the Dallas Mavericks, coached by Rick Carlisle, acquired Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porziņģis.

2020: Playoff Appearance

In 2020, Rick Carlisle coached the Mavericks to make the playoffs for the first time in three years as the 7th seed in the conference, losing in six games to the Los Angeles Clippers.

January 13, 2021: Recorded 800th Win

On January 13, 2021, Rick Carlisle recorded his 800th win as an NBA coach in a game against the Charlotte Hornets.

June 17, 2021: Stepped Down as Mavericks Head Coach

On June 17, 2021, Rick Carlisle stepped down as the Dallas Mavericks' head coach with two years remaining on his contract.

June 24, 2021: Hired as Head Coach of Indiana Pacers

On June 24, 2021, Rick Carlisle was hired as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, returning to the franchise for a third stint and his second as head coach.

2021: Lost to Los Angeles Clippers in Playoffs

In 2021, Rick Carlisle coached the Mavericks to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year, losing in seven games to the Los Angeles Clippers.

October 26, 2023: Multiyear Contract Extension with Pacers

On October 26, 2023, Rick Carlisle agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the Indiana Pacers, extending beyond the 2024–25 season.

November 6, 2023: Recorded 900th Win

On November 6, 2023, Rick Carlisle recorded his 900th win as an NBA coach in a 41-point win over the San Antonio Spurs.

2023: Pacers' Rebuilding

In 2023, the Pacers completed a two-year rebuilding process

2024: Multiyear Contract Extension with Pacers

On October 26, 2023, Rick Carlisle agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the Indiana Pacers, extending beyond the 2024–25 season.

2025: Pacers reach NBA Finals

In 2025, Rick Carlisle coached the Pacers to a 50-32 record, reaching the conference finals and then the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. In Game 1, the Pacers overcame a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Oklahoma City Thunder.