BREAKING NEWS: Former Indiana Pacers Head Coach Isiah Thomas Now Leads Saginaw Soul in the Basketball Super League—Sends Powerful Message to Rick Carlisle and the Pacers
In a move that has sparked both nostalgia and speculation across the basketball world, legendary NBA Hall of Famer and former Indiana Pacers head coach Isiah Thomas has made headlines again. This time, not as a TV analyst or executive, but as the new head coach of the Saginaw Soul, a rising franchise in the Basketball Super League (BSL). And in his first public remarks since taking the role, Thomas had a poignant and deliberate message for Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle and the entire Pacers organization—a message that echoed with legacy, challenge, and redemption.
The Return of a Legend
For fans of the game, Isiah Thomas is synonymous with grit, intelligence, and championship mentality. As a player, he was the heart of the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons, leading them to back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990. As a coach, however, his career has taken a more turbulent road, including an up-and-down tenure with the Indiana Pacers from 2000 to 2003.
Now at 64, Thomas is making a passionate return to coaching with a fresh mission: building a winning culture for the Saginaw Soul, a newly introduced team in the rapidly expanding Basketball Super League—a league that has gained serious traction among fans seeking an alternative to the NBA, thanks to its blend of international flair, dynamic rule changes, and city-driven team identities.
In a press conference held at the Saginaw Civic Center, Thomas didn’t just talk about building a championship team—he lit a fire under the basketball community by publicly sending a message to his former team, the Indiana Pacers, and head coach Rick Carlisle.
A Message from Thomas to Carlisle: “Never Forget the Foundation”
Speaking with a calm but assertive tone, Isiah Thomas addressed the media with a mix of pride and warning when referencing Indiana.
> “I have great respect for what Rick Carlisle is doing in Indiana,” Thomas began. “But let’s not forget who helped lay the bricks for what that franchise is building on today. Some of us were the mortar, the steel, and the pain behind those early 2000s Pacers years. Don’t forget the foundation when you’re building a new roof.”
This message came across not as bitterness, but a firm reminder of legacy. During Thomas’s tenure with the Pacers, the team saw the early development of a young Jermaine O’Neal, the defensive rise of Ron Artest, and a fierce competitive spirit that helped redefine Indiana’s modern basketball identity. Thomas coached the Pacers to three straight playoff appearances, but was controversially fired in 2003—just one year before Rick Carlisle took over and led them to the Eastern Conference Finals.
> “I passed Rick a Ferrari,” Thomas quipped with a half-smile. “He just had to keep it on the road.
While Carlisle is still regarded as one of the best basketball minds in the NBA, Thomas’s comments reflect a rarely spoken truth: he played a vital role in modern Pacers history. And now, leading a team from his hometown Saginaw, Michigan, Thomas is making it clear—he’s not done shaping basketball legacies.
The Rise of the Basketball Super League—and the Saginaw Soul
The Basketball Super League (BSL) is a relatively new but fast-growing professional basketball league that spans cities across North America and parts of Europe. With a focus on community representation, aggressive play styles, and unique rule tweaks (such as four-point arcs and “clutch time” free throw strategies), it has garnered increasing TV deals and streaming partnerships.
The Saginaw Soul are among the league’s most hyped expansion teams, representing the blue-collar ethos and basketball passion of central Michigan. The team’s unveiling in May 2025 already drew thousands of fans, but Isiah Thomas’s appointment as head coach took things to another level.
> “I wanted to come home,” Thomas said. “Saginaw raised me. Detroit made me a champion. But this is about giving back—mentoring, building, and winning with a culture that mirrors who we are. This team will fight. This team will defend. And this team will matter.
Message to the Pacers: “Respect Where You Came From”
Thomas’s direct message to the Indiana Pacers and Rick Carlisle wasn’t just about ego—it carried a deeper lesson on institutional memory and appreciation. He alluded to the Pacers’ current roster, praising young stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin, but challenging the franchise to remain loyal to its past.
> “You have a good team. You have great fans. But don’t forget the ones who carried the torch when the fire was low,” Thomas said. “The Pacers owe their soul to Reggie, to Dale, to those early 2000s guys, and yes, to the ones who coached them when no one else believed.
When asked if he would ever consider returning to Indiana in an advisory or executive capacity, Thomas paused and said:
> “Indiana will always have a piece of my heart. But for now, I’m building a new empire in Saginaw. If they call, they know where to find me.
Rick Carlisle’s Response
While the Pacers organization has not issued a formal statement, head coach Rick Carlisle was asked about Thomas’s comments after a team practice session in Indianapolis.
> “I have the utmost respect for Coach Thomas,” Carlisle said. “He’s a pioneer, a champion, and yes, he had a significant impact on this franchise before I got here. If his return to coaching motivates him—and his message motivates us—we’re all better for it.”
Carlisle kept things professional, but sources within the Pacers front office say the comments weren’t taken lightly. Some insiders believe the Pacers may even consider reaching out to Thomas for a future honorary event or reunion—a peace offering, perhaps, or an overdue acknowledgment.
The Bigger Picture: More Than Basketball
What’s most powerful about this chapter in Isiah Thomas’s journey is that it’s not just about basketball. It’s about recognition, homecoming, legacy, and the importance of telling one’s own story. As he takes on this new challenge with the Saginaw Soul, Thomas is reminding both young players and franchises like the Pacers that greatness is not only built on championships, but on culture, resilience, and memory.
And with a new generation watching, Thomas’s return could inspire countless coaches, players, and small-market teams to rise and prove that heart still matters more than headlines.
Final Thoughts
The story of Isiah Thomas and the Indiana Pacers may not be finished just yet. But for now, his message to Rick Carlisle was crystal clear:
> “Remember who helped build your house. And if you’ve forgotten, maybe it’s time to take a trip back to where the story began.
Whether viewed as a challenge, a lesson, or a call for respect, Thomas has reignited a connection between past and present—and in doing so, has added a powerful narrative to the evolving saga of the Basketball Super League.
Welcome back, Zeke. The soul of the game just got stronger.
Leave a Reply