Rick Carlisle discusses his contract extension and excitement with Indiana Pacers

Yesterday, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle signed a contract extension. He was in the third season of a four-year deal signed in 2021, and now his contract lasts beyond 2025.

"It goes without saying that Coach Carlisle is one of the most creative and successful coaches in the history of the league, so there was never a question that he continues to be the right person to lead our team," Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said in a team-issued statement. "We're looking forward to working together for years to come as we build something special for our fans."

Carlisle has a 897-793 coaching record during his decades-long career. His resume includes an NBA Championship and a Coach of the Year award, and he has grown his player development skills in Indiana. He is the right coach at the right time for a young, growing Pacers team.

"Deserving," veteran guard T.J. McConnell said of the extension. "Ever since we hired Rick and have gotten a plan, the franchise has gone in a really good direction."

For Carlisle, the extension timing made sense. He likes what the Pacers are building and the direction they are heading. In his first season with the franchise, they won 25 games. Last year, that number climbed to 35. Given the age of the roster and offseason additions, that trajectory should continue this season.

Indiana showed what they could look like in year three with Carlisle at the helm on Wednesday. They won convincingly, and they scored 143 points. It was a terrific start to the new season and the first season-opening win for Indiana since Carlisle re-joined the franchise in 2021.

Carlisle's contract extension has been in the works — he explained on Friday that it's been heading down that part for a while. It just happened to be finalized right after the season started.

He wouldn't expand on details about the length and dollars in the extension. Instead, Carlisle looked forward after practice on Friday.

"We've done some pretty good things as an organization the last couple years, and we need to keep pushing forward," he said. He's excited to keep working with his staff of assistant coaches, and Carlisle shared that he is hopeful his extension can lead to contract extensions for his assistants.

"I'm excited to continue," Carlisle said of being with the Pacers. "I'm working with a great front office here... really appreciate the commitment from [Herb] Simon, Steve Simon," he added before naming a few others.

Carisle liked the buzz in the building during Indiana's win on Wednesday as well as the team's TV ratings — that all shows there is a sense of positive momentum around the team. The head coach is happy to be a part of it.

"This is not really a time to celebrate. It's a time to really recognize the responsibility," Carlisle said of extending his contract as the head coach.

Since joining Indiana, he has set his players up well to succeed. Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Jalen Smith, and Aaron Nesmith have all had career years with Indiana since Carlisle took over as head coach.

That's always been one of his strengths as a bench leader. He can adapt and put people in a position to be their best. In Dallas, he did that often. In Indiana, that has continued.

"I think Rick knows how to command a room," Turner said of Carlisle's ability to enhance his players. "I think it's just a testament to who he is as a man and who he is as a coach. I think he does a good job of grabbing the attention and ears of his players, and he demands respect," he added. Turner thinks that his head coach has been vital in setting a culture. "To have somebody who is able to command that respect day in and day out is huge."

The Pacers now have stability in their leadership positions. Their head coach and All-Star guard both have multiple years left on their contract. They can grow together and get the franchise back into the postseason.

"The franchise is positioned well to continue to move forward," Carlisle said. Now, with everyone in a stable position, wins and growth need to come in Indiana.