It wasn't long after the news conference Friday that introduced Larry Bird as the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations when many thoughts turned to Rick Carlisle.

It was an easy link. Carlisle had two successful seasons coaching the Detroit Pistons, earning NBA Coach of the Year honors in 2001-02. He was dumped in June in a move every bit as surprising as Bird's hiring, so he's available.

Carlisle was an assistant to Bird for three seasons with the Pacers, and the two have remained in touch.

Asked Saturday about the inevitable speculation, Carlisle kept a safe distance.

"It shouldn't be an issue," he said. "Isiah Thomas is the coach of the Pacers, it's as simple as that. Larry Bird's presence will only help Isiah and the Pacers continue to thrive."

Carlisle, 43, wants to coach again, but his ambition for next season is to work in television as a game analyst for TNT or ESPN. He'll interview for a position with TNT within the next couple of weeks.