Two months after falling just short at the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers are making a coaching change. The team announced Friday that it had mutually agreed to part ways with assistant coach Mike Weinar.
In a statement, head coach Rick Carlisle praised Weinar’s character and his success. Carlisle and Weinar have worked together since 2008, starting with a 13-year stint with the Dallas Mavericks before both being hired by the Pacers in 2021.
“Mike Weinar has been a trusted friend and loyal colleague for 17+ years. As a coach, he is a proven winner with two National Championship rings with Florida Men’s Basketball in 2006 and 2007, and an NBA Championship ring from our 2011 championship run in Dallas. Mike also played a major role in this year’s historic Finals run with the Pacers,” said Carlisle in the statement. “Mike’s exemplary character as a father, husband, and man has been evident to me over nearly two decades. Professional success has followed Mike everywhere he has gone, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.”
Earlier this month, multiple reports indicated that Weinar was in talks for a top assistant job with the New York Knicks under new head coach Mike Brown. However, Weinar reportedly pulled himself out of consideration, citing both a desire to keep his family in Indiana and to maintain his long-term partnership with Carlisle.
It is unclear what Weinar will do now after parting ways with Indiana.
The move comes a few days after Carlisle signed a multi-year extension with the Pacers, cementing his future with the team after leading Indiana on a thrilling and somewhat unlikely Finals run last season.
Weinar, however, will not be staying with Carlisle in this next chapter. With Weinar out, Lloyd Pierce remains the Pacers’ lead assistant coach, with Jim Boylen and Jenny Boucek as assistant coaches.
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