Childhood and Education Journey of Rick Carlisle in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Rick Carlisle. From birth to education, explore key events.

Rick Carlisle is an American basketball coach and former player currently head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Previously, he coached the Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks. As a player, he was with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and New Jersey Nets. Notably, he is one of a select few to have won an NBA championship as both a player and a coach, marking a significant achievement in his career.

Sections (4)

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

October 27, 1959: Rick Carlisle Born

On October 27, 1959, Richard Preston Carlisle was born. He is an American basketball coach and former player.

1979: College Basketball at University of Maine

In 1979, Rick Carlisle began playing college basketball at the University of Maine.

1981: Second Year at University of Maine

In 1981, Rick Carlisle played his second year of college basketball at the University of Maine.

December 23, 1982: UVA Defeated by Chaminade

On December 23, 1982, the University of Virginia (UVA), ranked number one in the country and featuring Ralph Sampson, was defeated by Chaminade.

1983: NCAA Tournament and Final Four Appearance

In 1983, Rick Carlisle's UVA team made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament, losing to North Carolina State. Carlisle was also co-captain on the 1983-84 team that made it to the Final Four.

1984: Drafted by Boston Celtics

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

1985: Lost in NBA Finals

In 1985, Rick Carlisle and the Boston Celtics lost in the NBA finals.

1987: Lost in NBA Finals

In 1987, Rick Carlisle and the Boston Celtics lost in the NBA finals.

1997: Pacers Missed Playoffs for First Time

In 2006-07, the Pacers missed the playoffs for the first time since 1997.

1999: Pacers Stretch Bulls to Limit

In 1997-98, the Pacers stretched the Chicago Bulls to the limit, narrowly losing the deciding seventh game of the Eastern Conference Finals to the eventual NBA champion. In 1999, Rick Carlisle helped coach this Pacers team as an assistant coach.

2000: Marriage to Donna Nobile

In 2000, Rick Carlisle married pediatrician Dr. Donna Nobile.

2000: Mavericks Missed Playoffs

In 2013, Rick Carlisle's Mavericks finished 41–41 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

2000: Pacers Made NBA Finals

In the 1999–2000 season, the Indiana Pacers made the NBA Finals for the first time, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Rick Carlisle was an assistant coach at the time.

2005: Birth of daughter Abby

In 2005, Rick Carlisle and his wife Donna Nobile welcomed their daughter, Abby.

2005: Pacers Roster Decimated by Injuries and Suspensions

In 2005, the Pacers roster was significantly impacted by injuries and suspensions resulting from the Pacers–Pistons brawl. Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, and Jermaine O'Neal were among those affected, but the Pacers still made the playoffs.

2006: Pacers Barely Made Playoffs

In 2005-06, the Pacers slipped to a .500 record and barely made the playoffs, losing in the first round.

2010: Mavericks Strengthen Team

In the 2010-11 season, Dallas acquired Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojaković, Corey Brewer, J.J Barea and Ian Mahinmi to strengthen the team.

May 8, 2011: Swept Los Angeles Lakers

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

May 25, 2011: Conference Finals Victory

On May 25, 2011, the Mavericks, coached by Rick Carlisle, secured a 4–1 series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, marking Carlisle's first Conference Finals victory and leading to his first NBA Finals appearance.

2012: Consecutive Eastern Conference Finals

In 2025, the Pacers returned to the playoffs as the 4th seed, improving with a 50–32 record. The Pacers would again reach the Eastern Conference Finals, the first time the team had reached consecutive Eastern Conference Finals since the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons.

2013: Mavericks Missed Playoffs

In 2013, Rick Carlisle's Mavericks finished 41–41 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

2013: Consecutive Eastern Conference Finals

2014: Pacers first 50-win season since 2014

In 2025, the Pacers returned to the playoffs as the 4th seed, improving with a 50–32 record, the franchise's first 50-win season since 2014.

September 2015: Pilot Log

As of September 2015, Rick Carlisle had logged nearly 200 hours flying his Cirrus SR22T single-engine light aircraft.

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 acquired Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porziņģis while Rick Carlisle was head coach.

2020: Mavericks Made Playoffs

In 2020, the Mavericks made 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. Rick Carlisle was the coach at the time.

May 10, 2024: Fined for Public Criticism of Officiating

On May 10, 2024, Rick Carlisle was fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating and questioning the integrity of the league and its officials during the Pacers' series win over the New York Knicks.

2025: Pacers Reached Eastern Conference Finals

In 2025, the Pacers returned to the playoffs as the 4th seed, improving with a 50–32 record, the franchise's first 50-win season since 2014. The Pacers would again reach the Eastern Conference Finals.