Page "Indiana Pacers" Paragraph 30

On April 10, 2007, the Pacers announced the firing of coach Rick Carlisle, with the Pacers ' first losing record in ten seasons being the main reason for the coach's dismissal.

Pacers President Larry Bird noted that Carlisle had the opportunity to return to the Pacers franchise in another role.

Later, Carlisle opted to leave and took a broadcasting job with ESPN before returning to coach the Dallas Mavericks in 2008.

On May 31, 2007, Jim O ' Brien was named Carlisle's successor.

O ' Brien made it clear that he intended to take the Pacers back to the playoffs in the 2007 – 08 season, but he didn't, and didn't in his tenure.

He also made it known that he favored a more up-tempo, fast-paced style as opposed to Carlisle's slower, more meticulous style of coaching.

Many people have taken note that this style, while exciting at times, failed to produce a winning record and O ' Brien's inability to change his style to better suit his talent available has hurt the team.