The Boston Celtics have named Joe Mazzulla as permanent head coach, after giving him the role on an interim basis at the start of the season.
Friday 17 February 2023 07:38, UK
Joe Mazzulla has been named permanent head coach of the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics, having been in charge on an interim basis since Ime Udoka was suspended in September.
The decision to name Mazzulla as full-time head coach was made on Thursday with details emerging of a contract extension too, meaning he would take over from Udoka immediately.
Udoka had was embroiled in controversy before a single basketball had even been swished this season by having an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organization.
The news broke during the pre-season and he was given a year-long suspension. In that time Mazzulla has done enough to convince the powers that be that he deserves the role permanently.
"Since I've been here I always knew where I stood," the 34-year-old said.
"Even though it was an interim position... I knew I was going to get a fair shake and get an opportunity. I knew I was going to be able to do it the way that I thought to give us the best chance to be successful without any pressure because of that."
Mazzulla said he found out the process of making him the permanent coach was underway two days ago and that the deal was finalized after the Celtics' 127-109 win over Detroit on Wednesday.
"One of the things that's pretty obvious and evident about Joe is he's a really good coach and he also is just an outstanding leader," Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said. "I think he's done a great job right from the get-go of galvanizing the locker room around a mission."
Stevens said he decided to elevate Mazzulla now because of the job he's done and he didn't want the coach and his staff to enter the second half of the season under "a cloud of uncertainty."
"They've certainly earned that," Stevens said. He declined to elaborate on why he made the move now instead of waiting until the season ended.
"We said in our original statement long ago that decision would be made at a later date. We wanted to make sure we were thorough, we were really focused on our team from that day on," Stevens said. "I thought the player's leadership, the staff's leadership and Joe's leadership have all stood out during that time."
Mazzulla, who is from Johnston, Rhode Island, was recognized as the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November after leading the team to a league-best 18-4 record (.818).
He said being on top of the East is something he would take the time to appreciate over the All-Star break - while also thinking about how the Celtics can maintain their strong play in the second half.
"It's there, you can't run away, you can't ignore it," Mazzulla said. "I do think there is a comfort level knowing that. But that was kind of my message to the guys. That at the same time you can't be too comfortable because when we get back, it picks right up."
