The 2025 NBA Finals are delivering big moments, and one of the most surprising is about Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. Carlisle won a championship as a player with the Celtics in 1986 and later with the Dallas Mavericks to their first title in 2011. Now, his team heads into a thrilling Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. he is one step away from creating history.
Carlisle turned 65 on October 27, 2024, passing the previous record held by Larry Brown, who coached the Pistons in the 2005 Finals at 64. He is now the oldest head coach to appear in an NBA Finals. This milestone adds to his long list of achievements in his NBA career so far. Now, he is heading into the Indiana Pacers’ first-ever NBA championships.
Rick Carlisle is the oldest head coach in NBA Finals history at 65 years old 😳
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 20, 2025
He's ONE win away from winning his SECOND NBA title 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/5mNrSRdcoZ
This is his second time coaching the Pacers. He first led them from 2003 to 2007 and returned in 2021. His leadership has been crucial for this young core, helping them push through tough playoff battles. With calm authority and sharp tactical acumen, Carlisle guided his team to the brink of history again.
The Coach, Off The Court
Off the court, Carlisle’s story is equally compelling. He has married Donna Nobile since 2000, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. Their bond began in 1987 over a shared love of music, starting with a Grateful Dead concert where they met Jerry Garcia. Together, they built a family grounded in humanity and purpose. Their daughter, Abby, is studying Art history at the University of Virginia, where Rick attended school.
Carlisle balanced his long career in basketball with a solid family life. With history on the line Sunday, one of the game’s steadiest figures has been leading from the front.
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