INDIANAPOLIS — The new head coach of the Indiana Pacers is a familiar name.
Multiple media reports say the team is hiring Rick Carlisle to replace the fired Nate Bjorkgren.
Carlisle, who had been the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks for the last 13 years and won an NBA Championship in 2011, is returning to Indiana on a 4-year, $29 million deal.
In his first stint as the head coach with the Pacers from 2003-2007, Carlisle led the team to the playoffs three times, and had an overall record of 181-147. He was the head coach during the infamous “Malice at the Palace” against the Detroit Pistons. He was also an assistant coach for the Pacers under Larry Bird from 1997-2000.
