Rick Carlisle, who led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Championship in 2011, has told team owner Mark Cuban he will not return as coach next season, Carlisle told ESPN’s Adrian Wozniacki.
Carlisle had two years left on his contract. He spent 13 seasons training at Mavericks.
“After several private conversations with Mark Cuban last week, I told him today that I will not be returning as the head coach of Dallas Mavericks. This is my decision,” Carlisle told ESPN in a statement.
“My family and I have incredible 13 years of experience working with great men in a big city. It is an honor to work with Mark, Saint, Tony, Finn, Keith, Dirk, Jackit and every player and assistant coach. I am here. Dallas has always been my home. Will be, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my training career. “
Carlisle’s announcement comes after the team announced Wednesday that Tony Nelson, head of basketball operations and general manager, will not return after 24 seasons.
Sources told ESPN’s Tim McMahon that Nelson left after internal friction over the growing decision-making influence of Mavericks’ size research and development director Harlabos Volkaris.
