Carlisle Hired! Story <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers hired Rick Carlisle as their new head coach Wednesday, three years after they bypassed the former assistant in favor of Isiah Thomas. "I know our fans are familiar with him, and I look forward to a great year," Pacers president Larry Bird said. "He has tremendous knowledge of the game, and I firmly believe he is the right coach for this team." The move had been anticipated since shortly after Bird fired Thomas last week. Negotaitions were delayed by the Labor Day weekend and money issues surrounding the team's responsibility for the remainder of Thomas' contract.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Carlisle was Bird's assistant for three years when Bird coached the Pacers. When Bird stepped down after taking the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, Carlisle applied for the job but lost out to Thomas, who had never coached but was a former vice president and part-owner of the Toronto Raptors.</div>
Good pickup by the Pacers. Carlislie will lead them farther than before. Best of luck to Baby Face Isiah.
Did anyone watch the press conference? Carlisle telling the story about his rookie season was pretty funny
