FILE PHOTO: May 25, 2021; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle during game two in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle resigned on Thursday.
Owner Mark Cuban said in a team statement Carlisle stepped down, which comes one day after Cuban fired president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson.
“Rick informed me today about his decision to step down as head coach,” Cuban said. “On top of being a tremendous basketball coach, he was also a friend and confidant. Rick helped us bring the O’Brien Trophy to Dallas and those are memories I will always cherish. I want to thank Rick for all he gave this franchise and this city. We wish him all the best.”
Carlisle added context to the move in a statement to ESPN.
To the winningest coach in franchise history, thank you for 13 seasons and one unforgettable championship.
Thank you, Coach Carlisle. #MFFL pic.twitter.com/oMvGvEvwEY
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 17, 2021
“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,” Carlisle said. “This was solely my decision.”
He added, “Dallas will always be home, but I am excited about the next chapter of my coaching career.”
Carlisle had two years remaining on his contract.
Carlisle, 61, compiled a record of 555-478 in 13 seasons as the Mavs’ coach from 2008-21. He coached two seasons with the Detroit Pistons (2001-03) and four with the Indiana Pacers (2003-07) and also served as an assistant coach for the then-New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana. His all-time win-loss record as a head coach is 836-689.
Maverick for life. pic.twitter.com/VuLFt014C6
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 17, 2021
Dallas lost its first-round Western Conference playoff series to the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games after taking leads of 2-0 and 3-2 earlier in the series. The Mavericks were the No. 5 seed in the conference after a 42-30 regular-season finish. Star forward Luka Doncic turned in another stellar season and was named to his second straight All-NBA first team.
On Wednesday, the Mavericks announced they “mutually agreed to part ways” with Nelson, who served in that capacity for 24 seasons. ESPN and The Athletic reported that Nelson was rankled by the ever-growing influence of the team’s director of quantitative research and development, Haralabos “Bob” Voulgaris.
Doncic is eligible for a max contract extension this offseason and described the Nelson move as “tough.”