Rick Carlisle has told listeners he will keep coaching the Indiana Pacers for as long as he enjoys it and while his contract permits, offering a clear signal he has not yet set a firm retirement date despite his advancing years.
Still enjoying the job
Speaking on the podcast hosted by Draymond Green, the veteran coach — who will turn 67 early in the 2026–27 season — emphasised how much he values his daily routine and the pleasure he still takes from the role. "Nobody wants to overstay their welcome. I've got several more years on my contract. I still love it," he said. He added:
"It's a pleasure to go to work every day. ... I'm going to ride this as long as I can."
The comments underline a pragmatic approach to career planning: Carlisle says he enjoys high-quality pastimes outside basketball, including playing the piano, flying aeroplanes and golfing, but is not ready to step away while he is still engaged with his team.
Longstanding career, recent turbulence
Carlisle is a long-serving figure in the NBA coaching ranks. He is set to enter his 25th season as an NBA coach and is in his sixth season of his second spell with the Pacers. The club enjoyed a dramatic run to Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, a sign of recent high achievement.
However, the following campaign proved unsettling. The 2025–26 season was the worst in franchise history for the Pacers, a collapse fuelled by an onslaught of injuries that badly disrupted the roster and results. In spite of that downturn, Carlisle agreed a multiyear contract extension in 2025 that covers him through at least the upcoming season.
- Age: 67 (turning early in 2026–27)
- Coaching seasons: entering 25th NBA season
- With Pacers: sixth season of his second stint
- Recent team form: Game 7 of 2025 Finals; worst franchise record in 2025–26
- Contract: multiyear extension signed in 2025 covering at least the upcoming season
What his message means locally
For supporters following the Pacers from across the UK, Carlisle's remarks are a reminder that veteran coaches often balance professional identity with other interests. His references to music, aviation and golf sketch a picture of someone who has deliberately prepared life beyond the sideline — but who has not yet chosen to make that step.
That posture may offer stability for the Pacers' playing group and their supporters. Having a coach who intends to honour his contract while remaining committed to the job reduces immediate uncertainty over leadership, even if the team must rebuild after a season blighted by injuries.
Benchmarks and the road ahead
Carlisle’s plan to continue "as long as I can" leaves open a number of variables. Fitness, family circumstances, team performance and the club’s long-term strategy could all shape a decision on when to step away. For now, the coach has made clear he retains enthusiasm for the daily demands of the role.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Upcoming season | Covered by existing multiyear extension signed in 2025 |
| Coaching tenure | Entering 25th NBA season |
| Recent highs and lows | 2025: Game 7 of NBA Finals; 2025–26: worst record in franchise history due to injuries |
For now, the message from Carlisle is straightforward: he plans to continue while he still takes pleasure in the work and while his contract allows. That reassurance will be welcomed by Pacers followers, even as they await the next season and the club’s attempts to recover from a difficult campaign.
Coverage of Carlisle and the Pacers will continue across specialist outlets; the coach’s future will remain a topic of interest for supporters and observers alike as the new season approaches.
