The Pacers and assistant coach Mike Weinar have “mutually agreed to part ways,” the team announced Friday (link to press release).
Weinar has spent the majority of his NBA career working with head coach Rick Carlisle. He spent 13 seasons under Carlisle in Dallas, the last four as an assistant, prior to being hired by Indiana in 2021 when Carlisle rejoined the Pacers organization.
“Mike Weinar has been a trusted friend and loyal colleague for 17-plus years,” Carlisle said in a statement. “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.
“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.”
According to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files (Twitter link), Weinar was an “integral” part of the Pacers’ “game-planning, offense, and end-of-game scenarios.”
The 41-year-old was reportedly in the running to be the Knicks’ top assistant and offensive coordinator under new head coach Mike Brown. Weinar wound up withdrawing from that position, which went to veteran assistant Chris Jent.