Indiana Pacers Make Quick Decision on New Head Coach

The Indiana Pacers worked quickly this week to bring back a familiar face, as they are naming Rick Carlisle as their new head coach. Carlisle coached the Pacers from 2003-2007, including an NBA-best 61-21 record in his first season there.

Sources: The Pacers are hiring Rick Carlisle as head coach. He will sign a 4-year, $29 million contract.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 24, 2021

Carlisle spent the last 13 years as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, which included an NBA championship (2011). His first tenure at Indiana saw him register an impressive 181-147 record. He's back now on a 4-year, $29 Million contract.

The move would seem to indicate that the Pacers are intent on being a contender in the Eastern Conference, and this could put any of the trade rumors making the rounds, including Myles Turner, Damontas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon, on hold for the time being. 

The Pacers were quick to move on from the failed one-year experiment of rookie head coach Nate Bjorkgren, and bringing back a championship-proven coach like Carlisle is a bold step in the right direction. 

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