JB Bickerstaff will replace Rick Carlisle as president of the NBA Coaches Association in 2026.
at this moment, Rick Carlisle he has his hands full. On the one hand, he is the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Then, on the other hand, he is the president of the NBA Coaches Association.
That is, until next year. It was confirmed on Tuesday that Carlisle will step down as president of the Coaches Association, according to ClutchPoint’s Daniel Donabedian. His replacement will be JB Bickerstaff, head coach Detroit Pistons.
Since 2005, Carlyle has been the president. Overall, he oversaw communication between all other coaches and facilitated the league’s social justice initiatives. On the coaching side, Carlisle has been the head coach of the Pacers since 2021.
He was previously the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks from 2008-2021. In 2011, he was the head coach when Dallas won the NBA championship. Also, Carlisle was previously with the Pacers from 2003-2007. As a player, he played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.
Meanwhile, Bickerstaff is the head coach of the Pistons from 2024. Before that he was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last season, Bickerstaff oversaw the Pistons return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018-2019.
Currently, the Pistons are 22-8 and have the best record in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the Pacers are 6-22 and the second-to-last team in the East.
Other NBA coaches who were presidents of the Coaches Association.
In 1976, Boston Celtics coach Tommy Heinsohn founded the NBA Coaches Association.
NBCA’s longest-serving president was Lenny Wilkins, who served from 1987-2005. During his tenure, NBA coaches saw increases in benefits, pensions and salaries, as well as disability insurance.
Other notable coaches, including Doc Rivers, Tom Thibodeau and Mike Budenholzer, have all taken executive roles in the union.
In addition, the union presents an annual Coach of the Year Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
2025-12-23 00:25:00
