Rick Carlisle Steps Down as Dallas Coach

Image: © 2020 Miss Ari Photography

Uncomfortable change is definitely brewing within the Dallas Mavericks organization.

Just a day after the dismissal of long time President of Operations Donnie Nelson - 13 year franchise staple Rick Carlisle has resigned his duties as head coach.

The news sent shockwaves throughout both the NBA and the large Dallas fanbase on Thursday. Rumors weren’t too far behind, suggesting that perhaps Dallas All-Star Luka Doncic and Carlisle weren’t on the same page.

While Dallas did indeed exit the playoffs early this season, there is no denying Carlisle’s success in the league. He was the NBA's third-longest-tenured head coach, with a 555-478 record during his 13 seasons in Dallas, setting a franchise record for wins.

On the other side of celebrating the 2011 Championship, Carlisle had a 33-38 postseason record with the Mavericks, who have not advanced past the first round since the aforementioned championship.

Whatever developed during Carlisle’s most recent conversations with Mavericks’s Owner Mark Cuban this week - the 61-year old coach decided to remove himself from the organization. Almost immediately after doing so, Carlisle leaped to the front of the line of coaches available to fill vacancies in the looming off-season.

Throughout my time covering Maverick’s games, I’ve grown quite fond of Carlisle and his unshakable demeanor. After a win, he would take to the podium with the same poise as he would after a winnable loss. He didn’t make excuses for lackluster performances by the team. Despite recent criticism of his game plans, throughout his career - Carlisle has been a true mastermind when it comes to making the necessary lineup adjustments.

In the tunnel, there was always a head nod or a subtle smirk from the coach. I’ll never forget chatting with Coach Carlisle at a Dirk Nowitzki Hero Charity Game. It was the first time I saw Carlisle “let his hair down.” Dressed in baseball attire for the day and not in coaching mode, he engaged myself and a few other journalists about the charity efforts of the day and he did so with the sincerest smile.

Carlisle will without any doubt be on the sidelines when the 2021-22 season tips off. His contributions to the Dallas Mavericks and the City of Dallas will not be forgotten.