Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka; RI's Joe Mazzulla could be interim coach
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics have suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violation of team policies, the team announced Thursday night. The discipline reportedly stems from an improper relationship with a member of the organization.
In making the announcement, the team said a decision about Udoka's future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately.
ESPN first reported Wednesday night that a suspension was under consideration for the team policy violation. ESPN and The Athletic later reported that the Celtics' investigation revolves around whether Udoka had an inappropriate relationship with a member of the organization.
Joe Mazzulla: RI's own could soon coach the Boston Celtics. Here's what to know about him.
One of the people who spoke with the Associated Press said the Celtics have decided that assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will take over the team on an interim basis.
Mazzulla's coaching history
Mazzulla, a Johnston native, joined the Celtics as an assistant coach prior to the 2019-20 season. He was hired by current president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and continued on staff under Udoka, who succeeded Stevens ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. Boston reached the NBA Finals in June, falling in six games to the Golden State Warriors.
Mazzulla reportedly interviewed during the offseason for the head coaching job with the Utah Jazz. He has connections to the organization through Danny Ainge, the new CEO of basketball operations and alternate governor who headed Boston’s front office from 2003-21. Utah ultimately hired fellow Celtics assistant Will Hardy to replace Quin Snyder, who resigned after eight seasons.
Mazzulla has previous head coaching experience at Division II Fairmont State, leading the program to an NCAA Tournament bid in 2018-19. The Falcons were a combined 43-17 in Mazzulla’s two seasons before he departed for the professional ranks. Mazzulla had existing ties with Boston after serving as an assistant with its G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, in 2016-17.
Bishop Hendricken star, West Virginia team captain
Mazzulla is a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year at Bishop Hendricken in 2004 and 2005. He captured an NIT title and reached a Final Four during his college career at West Virginia, which spanned from 2006-11. Mazzulla was named team captain for the 2009-10 season and played in 145 games, finishing with 700 points and 370 assists.
Mazzulla is the son of the late Dan Mazzulla, the Bryant University Hall of Famer and longtime coach with the Panthers. His younger brother, Justin, joined the men’s basketball staff at the University of Rhode Island as a graduate assistant ahead of the 2022-23 season. Mazzulla was back home in early September to speak at Brown University, participating in a Coaches vs. Cancer clinic hosted by the Bears.
Did Joe Mazzulla play in the NBA?
Mazzulla was undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft. He never played in the league.
Joe Mazzulla's domestic abuse charges: What we know
Mazzulla was arrested in 2008 and 2009, suspended from basketball activities by the Mountaineers for part of the 2009 offseason and cited for public urination in 2010. Charges included underage drinking, aggravated assault and domestic battery. Mazzulla sought treatment following his second arrest and has reportedly been sober for 12 years.
He would become what is believed to be the first Rhode Island native to serve as an NBA head coach. The state’s ties to the league in historical terms have been somewhat limited. Providence native David Duke Jr. is currently entering his second season as a guard with the Brooklyn Nets.
What to know about the 2022-2023 season for the Boston Celtics ahead of training camp
The Celtics are to open training camp on Tuesday.
Boston made some big moves early in the offseason, acquiring Malcolm Brogdon in a trade from Indiana to bolster an already-strong backcourt, then added sharpshooting veteran forward Danilo Gallinari as a free agent.
From For The Win: NBA fans are convinced a burner Twitter account leaked the Ime Udoka relationship scandal
Gallinari tore the ACL in his left knee last month, however, and will be lost for the coming season. Center Robert Williams, a major part of Boston's defensive scheme who played through knee issues during last season's playoffs, is still dealing with knee problems and isn't expected to be ready to start this season.
The Celtics also were mentioned prominently in trade speculation surrounding Brooklyn forward Kevin Durant, a perennial All-Star who wanted to be moved elsewhere by the Nets — then pulled back that demand after several weeks. And now comes the Udoka matter.
Who is Ime Udoka?: The Boston Celtics head coach suspended for the 2022-23 season
Who are the other Boston Celtics assistant coaches
Udoka's other assistant coaches are Damon Stoudemire, Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles and Tony Dobbins. He had a brilliant first season as coach of the Celtics, finishing the regular season at 51-31 — going 26-6 in the final 32 games — and leading Boston past Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Miami on the way to the NBA Finals.
NBA disciplinary situations: Robert Sarver was suspended and selling teams
It's the second major disciplinary situation in as many weeks in the NBA, following the decision last week by commissioner Adam Silver to suspend Robert Sarver — the owner of the Phoenix Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury — for one year and fine him $10 million after an investigation showed a pattern of disturbing workplace conduct, including abusive and racist language. Sarver said Wednesday that he intends to sell his teams.
Providence Journal sports writer Bill Koch, along with Jimmy Golen and Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka; RI's Joe Mazzulla could be coach
