Rick Carlisle moves past Don Nelson as Mavericks' winningest head coach

After spending the past seven seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, Rick Carlisle finally moved into first place for most wins as a head coach in franchise history.

The Mavericks' 103-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday was Carlisle's 340th win with the team, which put him one ahead of Don Nelson's total of 339 wins that he amassed between 1997 and 2005.

Carlisle was jubilant when asked of his accomplishment.

"Nellie's one of the greatest coaches ever," Carlisle told Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. "In his honor, I'm going to crack open a beer and drink one to him because he's one of the all-time greats and he's a friend."

The 56-year-old Carlisle, who is said to be nearing a five-year extension, also paid respects to team owner Mark Cuban and his star player Dirk Nowitzki.

"There are many people to thank for being in this position," he said. "But the two main ones, I gave big hugs in the locker room. And that's Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki. A guy doesn't get in this position unless you have a great owner and one of the all-time great franchise players. So I'm very blessed."

Carlisle joined the Mavericks in 2009 following a strong run of success leading the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks won a title in Carlisle's third season as head coach and Dallas has made the playoffs in six of his seven seasons to date.

Carlisle won Coach of the Year in 2002 and is widely ranked as one of the league's best coaches.

Carlisle has also been known to tickle the ivory as well as he can handle a clipboard.