Who Is Rick Carlisle’s Wife? Get To Know the Pacers Head Coach’s Partner Donna Nobile
Rick Carlisle has solidified his legacy as one of the NBA’s all-time great coaches, especially after guiding the underdog Indiana Pacers on a stunning run to the 2025 NBA Finals. However, despite being one of the NBA’s 10 winningest postseason coaches, little is known about his personal life, including his longstanding relationship with his wife, Donna Nobile.
As Carlisle seeks his third NBA championship — his second as a head coach — here’s some background on the 65-year-old’s marriage and family.
All You Need To Know About Rick Carlisle’s Wife Donna Nobile
Carlisle met his wife late in his five-season NBA playing career. According to the seasoned coach, their first date took place at a Grateful Dead concert in Washington, DC, in 1987. The tickets came courtesy of his then-Boston Celtics teammate Bill Walton, who gave the couple his all-access passes to the concert.
As Carlisle worked his way up the NBA assistant coaching ranks in the 1990s, Nobile completed graduate and medical school at Georgetown University School of Medicinebefore undertaking a three-year pediatric residency in Philadelphia. She now works as a pediatric infectious disease specialist, which has allowed her to share valuable insights with her husband when he coached during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given Carlisle and Nobile’s busy professional careers, they didn’t get married until Sept. 16, 2000. However, the coaching veteran considers it well worth the wait.
Yes, Carlisle is often seen as a stoic tactician on the sidelines. However, his longtime partnership with Nobile and their tight-knit bond with daughter Abby reveal a fuller picture — one of loyalty, love, and quiet strength behind one of basketball’s most enduring figures.
