I haven't seen the Pistons enough to really judge what Carlisle did but from the outside it looked like he did great. (Larry Bird gave him high marks when he was his assistant, too.) The only thing that makes sense to me is that Detroit management expects to replace him with some coach they think is the 'second coming' - I'd guess Larry Brown.
Chap, I'd be interested to know how you saw it coming a 'mile away'. Getting swept in the conference finals while having home court advantage was a bit embarrassing but with Billiups very subpar, ti's not that surprising. Exactly where were they supposed to come up with offense with him injured? Last year they didn't do well in the playoffs either, but Stackhouse totally choked, if you remember.
Like I said, I haven't seen them play but looking at the pieces Carlisle had to work with and they made it the Conf. finals in two years I'd take him over FJ in a heartbeat. I'd rather have Silas but of course the C's won't hire either of them, since they're tainted by having success elsewhere...