Rick Carlisle, an American basketball head coach of the Indiana Pacers, is married to Dr. Donna Nobile and has a daughter, Abby.
While Rick is often in the spotlight, Donna has carved out her impressive path as a pediatrician and devoted family woman.
Highlights
- Rick Carlisle married Dr. Donna Nobile in 2000, and they have a daughter, Abby, born on May 7, 2005.
- Dr. Donna specializes in pediatric infectious diseases and works at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis.
- She rarely makes public appearances but plays a crucial role in helping the coach navigate the high-pressure world of professional sports.
Richard Preston Carlisle played two years of college basketball at the University of Maine before transferring to the University of Virginia.
After graduation, the Boston Celtics selected him in the 1984 NBA draft, and he won the NBA championship in 1986. He is one of the few 14 individuals to have won an NBA title while playing and coaching.
In 1989, he accepted the Brooklyn Nets’ offer as an assistant coach and spent five seasons under Bill Fitch and Chuck Daly. Later, he spent three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers under coach P. J. Carlesimo.
Moreover, the Detroit Pistons hired him as their new head coach for the 2001-2002 season, where he was named Coach of the Year in 2002.
Rick coached at the Indiana Pacers in 2003 and the Dallas Mavericks in 2008. He returned to the Indiana Pacers for a second stint on June 24, 2021.
Rick Carlisle And Dr. Donna Nobile Tried To Raise Their Daughter Far From The Spotlight
Rick Carlisle and his wife, Dr. Donna Nobile, were married in 2000. They welcomed their daughter, Abby, on May 7, 2005.
The head coach is widely respected for his basketball acumen and leadership, but behind his successful career is a strong support system.
Rick Carlisle and his family are in attendance at the Nancy Lieberman Dream Ball at the Omni Hotel in Dallas pic.twitter.com/suzKBRmjFK
— MICHAEL LARK (@themichaellark) April 15, 2016
Dr. Donna Nobile was born in 1996 and attended Georgetown University School of Medicine.
She completed her residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia from 1992 to 1995 and works at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis.
She has served in the health sector for over three decades and specializes in pediatric infectious diseases.
Unlike her famous husband, she prefers to stay out of the public eye, focusing instead on her professional work and family life.
Dr. Donna rarely makes public appearances, but she has been a steadfast presence at Rick’s career milestones. She plays a crucial role in helping the coach navigate the high-pressure world of professional sports.
The married couple balanced their demanding schedule with family commitments, showcasing a deep mutual support system. Their marriage was more colorful with the birth of their daughter, Abby,
Abby was seen attending Rick’s game, and he invited her to be beside him during a postgame conference, which made headlines.
Afterward, the head coach agreed with his wife to stop putting their daughter in the spotlight. Abby is a teenager now and has become a cheerleading squad captain.
The people that held her in their arms when she was one, two, three years old aren’t going to believe how she’s grown up. She’s 17 years old and has been driving for a year now. When you talk about family, Indiana has been a really big part of our journey as a family.
Rick Carlisle
Rick Carlisle And Dr. Donna Nobile’s First Date
Rick Carlisle still laughs when he tells the story of his first date with Donna, his now-wife, a night that almost didn’t happen.
Desperate to impress her, he had promised tickets to a Grateful Dead show, only to realize he had none.
Rick Carlisle's Wife Donna Nobile Carlisle https://t.co/XpGU7repWq #nba #wags pic.twitter.com/XHy7Te9CKd
— SEO MOM (@mvalle888) December 27, 2017
In a last-ditch effort, he called the ultimate Deadhead, his teammate, Bill Walton.
Bill didn’t just give him tickets; he directed Rick to the backdoor entrance, where someone would have backstage passes waiting for him and his date.
Really? He just said ‘Oh yeah.
Rick Carlisle
Rick, doubtful but optimistic, did what Walton said. He nervously followed his teammate’s directions while his date wondered whether he had tickets to the show.
Then, just as promised, two backstage passes were waiting for them.
They had a great first date with the help of Rick’s teammate Bill Walton, a Hall of Fame player, a legendary broadcaster, and a man of many talents and interests.
After the show, Dr. Donna was undoubtedly impressed by the opportunity to meet and speak with lead vocalist Jerry Garcia.
Rick thanks his friend for his relationship with his wife and his marriage.
Additional Information
- 65-year-old, Rick Carlisle was born on October 27, 1959, in Ogdensburg, New York.
- He is an avid pianist and private pilot who has logged over 200 hours flying his Cirrus SR22T single-engine light aircraft.
- As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be $8 million, and he earns $4.5 million annually.
