Carlisle out as coach of Pacers

In the Pacers' first year under Carlisle in 2003-04, they went 61-21 for the best record in the NBA, and the club reached the Eastern Conference finals. But the Pacers lost more games each of the next three seasons and Carlisle ended with a 181-147 record over his four years since replacing Isiah Thomas.

Bird said he's not interested in coaching the team he led to the NBA Finals in 2000 with Carlisle, a former Boston teammate, as one of his assistants.

Carlisle and Bird said the coaching search could include candidates already with the organization. Carlisle said Pacers assistants Johnny Davis and Chuck Person are ready to step in. Davis has made head coaching stops in Orlando and Philadelphia.

Carlisle mentioned Toronto coach Sam Mitchell, a former Pacer who just was named NBA Coach of the Year; Phoenix assistant Marc Iavaroni; former Pacer Mark Jackson; and Boston assistant coach Tony Brown, another former Pacer. He even mentioned Reggie Miller, the Pacers' career scoring leader. Miller, a TNT basketball analyst, had no comment on the matter.

Even with the brawl year, Carlisle said this season was the toughest he's had in coaching, and the situation was made more difficult because of his close friendship with Bird. Carlisle said he spoke with Bird on Tuesday and they decided that whichever of them dies first, the other will read the eulogy.

"I've seen other friends part ways and never speak again," Bird said, "but that's not the way it's going to be with us."