Fifty victories. A spot in the Eastern Conference finals. It just was not enough to earn a third season in Detroit.

Rick Carlisle was fired as head coach of the Pistons after two seasons, he told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher late Friday.

The team on Saturday denied that Carlisle had been fired, but Pistons president Joe Dumars scheduled a noon ET news conference Saturday at the team's practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich., and Carlisle is expected to attend.

Carlisle's Pistons went 50-32 this season, the best record in the East. Detroit advanced to the conference finals before getting swept by the Nets.

Carlisle's agent said Carlisle intends to meet with the media Saturday. Carlisle said he doesn't know if he wants to pursue another coaching position or return to television.

Carlisle's impressive résumé with the Pistons also includes an NBA Coach of the Year award for the 2001-2002 season, his first season in Detroit.

Carlisle, 42, had one year remaining on his contract for $2 million. The Pistons decided they did not want to give him an extension.

The Pistons are reportedly interested in former 76ers coach Larry Brown.