History of Rick Carlisle in Timeline

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: Reserve Role with Celtics

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

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.

1986: NBA Championship with the Celtics

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

1987: Played for Albany Patroons

From 1984 to 1987, Rick Carlisle played a limited reserve role for the Boston Celtics. He then played for the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).

1987: Lost in NBA Finals

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

1989: Played for New Jersey Nets

In 1989, Rick Carlisle played in five games with the New Jersey Nets.

1989: Assistant Coaching Position with Nets

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

1994: Joined Portland Trail Blazers as Assistant Coach

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

1997: Joined Indiana Pacers as Assistant Coach

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

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.

2001: Hired by Detroit Pistons as Head Coach

In 2001, Rick Carlisle was hired by the Detroit Pistons to be their new head coach.

2002: Named Coach of the Year

In 2002, Rick Carlisle was named Coach of the Year while coaching the Detroit Pistons.

2003: Returned to Pacers as Head Coach

In 2003, Rick Carlisle returned to the Indiana Pacers as head coach.

2005: Birth of daughter Abby

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

2005: Signed Contract Extension with Pacers

In 2005, despite a lackluster performance, the Pacers signed Rick Carlisle to a multiyear contract extension and gave him the title of executive vice president of basketball operations.

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.

June 12, 2007: Resigned from Front Office Post

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

May 9, 2008: Signed with Dallas Mavericks

On May 9, 2008, Rick Carlisle signed a four-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, replacing Avery Johnson as head coach.

2010: Lost in First Round of NBA Playoffs

In 2010, Rick Carlisle coached the Mavericks to a 55–27 record but lost in the first round to the Spurs in the NBA playoffs.

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.

2011: NBA Finals Victory with Mavericks

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

May 15, 2012: Agreed to New Deal with Mavericks

On May 15, 2012, Rick Carlisle agreed to a new four-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

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: Lost to Spurs in Playoffs

In 2014, Rick Carlisle led the Mavericks back to the playoffs as the eighth seed, losing in seven games to the San Antonio Spurs, who went on to win the 2014 NBA 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.

January 30, 2015: Recorded 600th Win

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

September 2015: Pilot Log

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

November 1, 2015: Winningest Coach in Mavericks History

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

November 5, 2015: Signed New Deal with Dallas

On November 5, 2015, Rick Carlisle signed a new five-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

2015: Defeated by Rockets in Playoffs

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

2016: Defeated by Thunder in Playoffs

In 2016, the Mavericks, coached by Rick Carlisle, finished sixth in the Western Conference but were defeated in five games by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

December 2, 2017: Recorded 700th Win

On December 2, 2017, Rick Carlisle recorded his 700th win 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 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.

January 13, 2021: Recorded 800th Win

On January 13, 2021, Rick Carlisle recorded his 800th win 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, marking his third stint with the franchise and second as head coach.

2021: Mavericks Lost to Clippers in Playoffs

In 2021, the Mavericks, coached by Rick Carlisle, made the playoffs for the second consecutive year, losing in seven games to the Los Angeles Clippers despite entering as the 5th seed and Division Champions.

2022: Pacers Missed Playoffs

In 2022, under Rick Carlisle, the Pacers missed the NBA playoffs as the team started a rebuilding process.

October 26, 2023: Agreed to Contract Extension

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 in a 41-point victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

2023: Pacers Missed Playoffs

In 2023, under Rick Carlisle, the Pacers missed the NBA playoffs as the team continued a rebuilding process.

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.

2024: Agreed to Contract Extension

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

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.