"Greatest Hero Of My Life": Rick Carlisle Shares Emotional Tribute To Late Father

Rick Carlisle remembers his late father Preston Carlisle in an emotional tribute before the Pacers’ game.© Getty Images

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has paid an emotional tribute to his father, Preston C. Carlisle, who died at the age of 96 on October 3, 2026. The NBA champion thanked the Pacers organization for helping him travel to his hometown of Albany, New York, so he could be with his father near the end of his life. Carlisle described his father as “the greatest hero of my life” while speaking before Indiana's game against Philadelphia. He also thanked team owner Herb Simon and president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard for making the trip possible. Carlisle will miss the Pacers' October 30 game against Miami to attend his father's memorial service in Ogdensburg, New York.

Rick Carlisle Calls Late Father Preston Carlisle His Greatest Hero

Carlisle shared the news before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, explaining how the organization helped him reach his father during his final days.

“Before we start, I want to give a big thank you to our organization for something that happened a little over three weeks ago,” the Pacers coach said.

He then spoke about his father's strength and the chance to be by his side.

“My dad's 96. We were in practice on a Friday. I think it was the third of October, and I was called out of practice. There was a call from home. 96 years old. Guy lived an amazing life with an indomitable spirit to live, to compete, to give, to give to people, and so generous. And he was… It got to a point where the last ten days or so were very difficult. Lived a life where a guy that never ever complained about anything, and even at the very, very end, did not complain once.”

Carlisle added that his father died peacefully. Although his remarks referred to October 4, the published obituary lists October 3 as the date of death.

“And so your organization made it possible for me that day to be at practice and get up to Albany, New York, where I'm from, to see him, and I was able to be there on the day that he passed, which was the fourth of October. And thankfully, he passed peacefully. He lived a life that wasn't peaceful by any stretch, but he was the greatest hero of my life.”

Preston Carlisle's Legal Career And Rick Carlisle's Pacers Absence

Preston Carlisle served four years in the U.S. Army before earning his law degree. He established his law firm in Ogdensburg in 1962 and worked in local government, including as the county's first assistant district attorney from 1967 to 1975. He also supported the local Boys and Girls Club, where a youth athletic center was named in his honor.

Rick Carlisle thanked the organization once more, recognizing his father's family and community legacy.

“I am thankful to the organization for giving me the opportunity to be there to honor a great man, great father, great husband, great grandfather, 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Preston C. Carlisle, an all-time great. So thank you, Herb. Thank you, Kevin. Thank you, Pacers organization.”

Associate head coach Lloyd Pierce is expected to lead Indiana against Miami during Carlisle's absence. Carlisle won an NBA title as a player with Boston in 1986 and coached Dallas to a championship in 2011.