Per Tony East of Circle City Spin and Dustin Dopirak of the Indy Star, the Milwaukee Bucks have hired Indiana Pacers assistant coach Johnny Carpenter as an assistant coach and head of player development, replacing Jack Herum, who had spent the last three seasons in that role for Milwaukee.
Carpenter was slated to be the Pacers’ head coach during Summer League, but that will no longer happen with following his move to the Bucks, where, at least according to Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, he will take
on greater responsibility:
“The Bucks’ offer to Johnny was a clear step up in responsibility and therefore received the organization’s blessing. We thank Johnny and his family for a great year with the Pacers and wish them the very best.”
Prior to joining the Pacers, Carpenter worked with new Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins in Memphis during the 2024-25 season, with roles in player development and scouting. During his lone season there, they had an exceptional draft class from top to bottom, selecting Zach Edey at no. 9, Jaylen Wells at no. 38, and Cam Spencer at no. 53. They were also able to add center Jay Huff—who Carpenter worked with at the University of Virginia—in free agency. Huff had the best season of his career up to that point, averaging 6.9 PPG and 2.0 RPG, shooting 51.5% from the field and 40.5% from three (3.1 3PA). Then, reuniting with Carpenter last season in Indiana, Huff posted a career year replacing Myles Turner as the starting center, averaging 9.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.5 APG, and 1.9 BPG.
Before his stint in Memphis, Carpenter spent nine years at his alma mater, the University of Virginia, where he served in several different roles, including assistant coach, director of player personnel, and basketball technology assistant. During his time with the Virginia Cavaliers, he helped develop several NBA players, including a familiar name to Bucks fans: former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon. He’s also worked with Trey Murphy III, De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, and Ryan Dunn.
In addition to his NBA roles with Indiana and Memphis, Carpenter also spent the 2014-15 season under Carlisle in Dallas, where he served as an assistant video coordinator.
