Shockwaves in Indy: Why Did Pacers and Assistant Coach Mike Weinar Split Just Months After NBA Finals Glory?

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“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.

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.Advertisement

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.Well, here we go — the Indiana Pacers, fresh off that gut-wrenching NBA Finals loss just two months back, are already shaking things up behind the scenes. The big news? They’ve mutually decided to part ways with assistant coach Mike Weinar, a man who’s been alongside Rick Carlisle for what feels like forever. It’s one of those moves that might seem sudden, but when you dig a little deeper, it’s clear there’s a complex story about loyalty, family, and future ambitions. Carlisle didn’t hold back on praising Weinar — talking about his championship pedigree and steadfast character — which tells you this wasn’t just a casual split. Yet, with whispers about Weinar almost stepping into a top spot with the Knicks but then pulling back to stay in Indiana, you can’t help but wonder what’s next for him. All this happens just days after Carlisle inked a multi-year extension with the Pacers — a real sign the franchise is locking in its core leadership, even as some pieces shift around. For now, Lloyd Pierce steps up as lead assistant, with a fresh lineup of coaches ready to keep the momentum going. Intrigued? Let’s unpack it all. LEARN MOREAdvertisementAdvertisement