NEWS FLASH: Legendary Indiana Pacers Basketball Player Larry Brown Resurfaces as …

NEWS FLASH: Legendary Indiana Pacers Basketball Figure Larry Brown Resurfaces as Senior Consultant to Front Office

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In a surprise move that brings a respected voice and Hall of Fame pedigree back to the Indiana Pacers organization, legendary coach and basketball mind Larry Brown has resurfaced — this time as a Senior Consultant to the Pacers’ Front Office, the team announced Friday morning.

Brown, who served as head coach of the Pacers from 1993 to 1997, returns to the franchise nearly three decades later in a behind-the-scenes role aimed at supporting basketball operations, player development, and long-term strategic planning.

A Full-Circle Return

Brown, 84, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball minds in history. The only coach to win both an NBA championship (2004, Detroit Pistons) and an NCAA championship (1988, Kansas), Brown led the Pacers to three playoff appearances and helped lay the foundation for Indiana’s late-90s rise.

“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the Pacers and the city of Indianapolis,” Brown said in a team release. “It’s an honor to rejoin the organization and contribute in any way I can to its continued growth and success.”

Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard called the addition of Brown “invaluable,” emphasizing his mentorship and decades of insight.

“Larry brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for teaching the game. His voice will be a resource for our coaching staff, front office, and even our players,” Pritchard said.

A Role Focused on Development and Culture

Brown’s new position will not involve day-to-day coaching duties, but he is expected to spend time with the Pacers during training camp, evaluate scouting reports, and offer input on player development — especially as the team continues to build around rising stars like Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Jarace Walker.

The move reflects the Pacers’ commitment to blending youth with experience, tradition with innovation — and reinforcing the kind of basketball culture that Brown helped build during his original stint with the team.

A Legend’s Legacy

Larry Brown’s career spans over five decades across the ABA, NBA, and NCAA. He has coached 11 different NBA franchises and is renowned for his focus on fundamentals, defense, and player accountability. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Though his time with Indiana was relatively brief, it was impactful. Brown helped usher in the prime years of Reggie Miller and groomed the team into a consistent Eastern Conference threat — paving the way for the team’s deep playoff runs under successor Larry Bird.

The Pacers Embrace Their History

This latest move continues a recent trend by the Pacers to reconnect with their storied past. With franchise icons like Donnie Walsh still involved in advisory roles, and frequent tributes to former stars, the Pacers are doubling down on a “culture-first” philosophy — one that values not just talent, but the basketball IQ and character that defines Indiana basketball.

What’s Next?

While Larry Brown’s return may not make nightly headlines, his influence could be felt in the margins — where championships are often won. As the Pacers push toward becoming a serious contender in the Eastern Conference, the guidance of a basketball lifer like Brown could prove to be a difference-maker.

One thing’s clear: the game may evolve, but legends never fade. Larry Brown is back in Indiana — and basketball in Indianapolis just got a little smarter.

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