Rick Carlisle, seen here when he was Head Coach of the Indiana Pacers, at Portland's Rose Garden in late November 2006. Carlisle has been introduced as the Dallas Mavericks' new coach only four days after signing a new contract with the NBA club.

DALLAS - MAY 14: Rick Carlisle, new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks along with owner Mark Cuban and General Manager Donnie Nelson speak with members of the media during an introductory press conference on May 14, 2008 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

DALLAS - MAY 14: Dirk Nowitzki looks on as Rick Carlisle, new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks speaks with members of the media during an introductory press conference on May 14, 2008 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

DALLAS - MAY 14: Rick Carlisle, new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks speaks with a member of the media during a one on one interview following a press conference on May 14, 2008 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

DALLAS - MAY 14: Rick Carlisle, new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks speaks with members of the media during an introductory press conference on May 14, 2008 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

DALLAS - MAY 14: Rick Carlisle, new head coach and Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks speak with members of the media during an introductory press conference on May 14, 2008 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks new head coach Rick Carlisle responds to a question during a news conference, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, of Germany, center in gray shirt, sits amongst members of the press at a news conference where Rick Carlisle was introduced as the team's new coach, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, right, is followed by the team's new coach, Rick Carlisle, and general manager Donnie Nelson, rear, following a news conference held by the NBA basketball game Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson, left, laughs as the NBA basketball team's recently hired coach, Rick Carlisle responds to a question during a news conference Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban, right, laughs as the new head coach Rick Carlisle, center, comments during a news conference, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Dallas. Team general manager Donnie Nelson, far left, looks on.

Rick Carlisle, left, the new Dallas Mavericks basketball coach, comments during a news conference as team owner Mark Cuban, rear, smiles, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Dallas, Texas.

Rick Carlisle, seen here in 2007, has agreed to a four-year deal to become the ninth coach of the Dallas Mavericks, the National Basketball Association team announced Saturday.

The Dallas Mavericks have tabbed former Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, pictured during the regular season, to replace sacked Avery Johnson, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Former Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle talks about not returning as coach of the team during a news conference in Indianapolis in this April 25, 2007 file photo. Carlisle has emerged as the leading candidate to coach the Dallas Mavericks, but negotiations are ongoing, said Donnie Nelson, the team's president of basketball operations, on Sunday, May 4, 2008.

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets watches during a free throw against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints tosses a football into the crowd during a timeout in the game between the New Orleans Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Jerry Stackhouse #42 of the Dallas Mavericks dunks the ball over Tyson Chandler #6 of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets drives the ball down the court against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Head coach Byron Scott of the New Orleans Hornets holds the Coach of the Year trophy during a ceremony before playing the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks makes a shot over David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks dunks the ball over David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks makes a shot over Jannero Pargo #2 of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks drives the ball around David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Jason Terry #5 of the Dallas Mavericks makes a shot over Tyson Chandler #6 of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets grabs a rebound against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets talks with a referee after fouling Jerry Stackhouse #42 of Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets is fouled by Jerry Stackhouse #42 of Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Julian Wright #32 of the New Orleans Hornets makes a shot over Jerry Stackhouse #42 of Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: Jannero Pargo #2 of the New Orleans Hornets makes a shot over Jerry Stackhouse #42 of Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at The New Orleans Arena April 29, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-94 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)