The Boston Celtics have named assistant Joe Mazzulla interim head coach following the suspension of Ime Udoka.
Udoka will miss the entire 2022-23 NBA season for what the team called violations of team policies. The suspension quickly followed reports Udoka had a consensual intimate relationship with a female staff member.
Mazzulla is just 34 years old, but he is one of the longest-tenured members of the Celtics coaching staff. He’s the lone holdover from the Brad Stevens era; he joined the team in 2019. Mazzulla also spent a season as the head coach of the Maine Celtics when they went by the name Maine Red Claws.
In June, All-Star Jayson Tatum was asked about Mazzulla’s impact on the team. At the time, Mazzulla was flirting with pursuing a larger role elsewhere. Tatum lauded his then-assistant coach. You can check out his full comments below:
Here’s what Jayson Tatum said about coach Joe Mazzulla back in June pic.twitter.com/IbaSaqJWug
— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) September 23, 2022
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