Former Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who had the option of staying with the organization as part of its management structure, announced Tuesday that he is leaving the club.

The Pacers decided on April 25 that Carlisle would not be retained as coach and hired former Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers coach Jim O'Brien as his replacement on May 31.

"I have given notification that I will not be returning to the Indiana Pacers next season as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations," Carlisle said via e-mail.

"I met with both Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh last Friday and expressed my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to come back next year in a front office capacity, but felt it was better for both the Pacers and myself to part ways at this time," he said in the e-mail. "Jim O'Brien and Dick Harter are great basketball men who I respect and have worked with before, and they will do an outstanding job with this team going forward."

Carlisle, who went 181-147 in four seasons with the Pacers, is believed to be a top candidate for the coaching opening in Seattle that will be filled by new Sonics general manager Sam Presti.