The Boston Celtics have hired Brad Stevens as the team’s new head coach.
Stevens replaces Doc Rivers who left to coach the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a draft pick.
In a separate transaction, the Celtics traded veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets as apart of rebuilding effort, and Rajon Rondo is in trade rumors, so Stevens will be taking over a team in transition to say the least.
Stevens, 36, the men’s basketball coach of Butler University in Indiana for the past six years, led the Bulldogs to a 166-49 record and two consecutive appearances in the NCAA championship game. The surprise hire of Stevens — which has probably left the Butler community in shock — is notable in that he had previously turned down other jobs with more high-profile college programs and was under contract to Butler through 2021-22. Presumably his college contract included an escape clause.
Said Stevens on the new NBA coaching job, “Our family is thrilled for the opportunity given to us by the leadership of the Boston Celtics, but it is emotional to leave a place that we have called home for the past 13 years.”
Of his decision to hire Brad Stevens, Celtics president Danny Ainge commented that “Brad and I share a lot of the same values.Though he is young, I see Brad as a great leader who leads with impeccable character and a strong work ethic. His teams always play hard and execute on both ends of the court. Brad is a coach who has already enjoyed lots of success, and I look forward to working with him toward Banner 18.”
Stevens posted a “career win percentage is.772, including a 33-5 season in 2009-10. He was also the youngest coach to reach the Final Four since Bob Knight in 1973,” according to WEEI in Boston.
Do you think Brad Stevens made a mistake by leaving Butler University for the NBA?
[Image credit: Bradjward ]
