After 13 years, Rick Carlisle says goodbye to Mavericks; hello to Celtics?

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Former University of Virginia guard Rick Carlisle has resigned as head coach of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks after 13 years with the organization.

Carlisle, who played at UVA from 1983-84 after transferring from Maine, informed Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, that he will not return next season. Cuban had recently supported Carlisle, who had two years remaining on his contract.

The former UVA starter told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, that “After a number of in-person conversations with Mark Cuban over the last week, today I informed him that I will not be returning as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. This was solely my decision. My family and I have had an amazing 13-year experience working with great people in a great city. It has been an honor to work alongside Mark, Cynt, Donnie, Fin, Keith, Dirk, JKidd and every player and assistant coach I’ve had here. Dallas will always be home, but I am excited about the next chapter of my coaching career.”

There are presently six openings for head coaches in the NBA. Carlisle is likely a potential candidate for any vacancy in the league, including the Boston Celtics, where he has been linked due to his playing days there when the Celtics won the title in 1986.

He led the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title and has posted a 513-448 record during his 13-year career as a head coach in Dallas. Carlisle has also been a head coach

The Mavericks were ousted in the first round of this year’s playoffs by the L.A. Clippers, the sixth straight elimination in the quarterfinals.

Cuban was disappointed that Carlisle is stepping away from his club.

“I truly love Rick Carlisle,” Cuban said. “He was not only a good coach but also a friend and a confidant. Our relationship was so much more than basketball. And I know that won’t ever change.”

Before being hired by Cuban, Carlisle was a head coach for the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. After playing for UVA, Carlisle played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets. He became friends with Larry Bird when he was an assistant for the Pacers.

The Mavericks parted ways with general manager Donnie Nelson one day ago, so Cuban will be searching for a new head coach and a GM.

Dallas star Luka Doncic has been vocal about his dislike of the club firing Nelson. It has been reported that there has been a “simmering tension” between Carlisle and Doncic.

Carlisle has kept a healthy connection to UVA all these years, having returned to speak and participate in various events, including Ralph Sampson’s party to commemorate the implosion of University Hall two years ago.