Inside The Celtics

Celtics Add Joe Mazzulla's Star Teammate at West Virginia

Bobby Krivitsky

Apr 3, 2010; Indianapolis, IN, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Da'Sean Butler (1) shoots during the first half of the semifinals of the Final Four of the 2010 NCAA mens basketball tournament against the Duke Blue Devils at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2010; Indianapolis, IN, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Da'Sean Butler (1) shoots during the first half of the semifinals of the Final Four of the 2010 NCAA mens basketball tournament against the Duke Blue Devils at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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After working as Joe Mazzulla's lead assistant and helping the Celtics capture Banner 18, Charles Lee is now in Charlotte, starting his long-deserved opportunity as an NBA head coach.

As he tries to help develop a young core featuring LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Mark Williams, and the sixth overall pick in this year's draft,

Tidjane Salaün, Lee is bringing Jermaine Bucknor, who worked in Boston as a development coach, and Blaine Mueller with him to the Hornets.

Mueller was the head coach of the Maine Celtics, who reached the G League Finals this year. From their work ethic to their ability to teach the game and connect with people to help get the most out of them, Bucknor and Mueller are excellent additions to Lee's staff.

Boston is primarily addressing its coaching vacancies by promoting from within, including elevating Sam Cassell to lead assistant, the role left behind by Lee.

However, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, the Celtics are adding Da'Sean Butler to their staff. He teamed with Joe Mazzulla at West Virginia.

De'Sean Butler and Joe Mazzulla try to get a loose ball in a game vs. the Duke Blue Devils.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

In 2010, they helped lead the Mountaineers to the Final Four, upsetting Kentucky, a No. 1 seed boasting five first-round picks in that year's NBA Draft, including John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Bledsoe.

Butler, whose 107 victories make him the winningest player in the history of the Mountaineers men's basketball program, was an assistant coach at his alma mater last season. His previous experiences include working as an assistant video coordinator for the Knicks.

West Virginia University's third-leading scorer was also an NBA Summer League coach for the Jazz and the Celtics. Mazzulla brought him on board the latter when he was the head coach of their Sin City squad in 2021, which reached the Finals in Las Vegas.

Butler arrives in Boston in a video and player development role for the defending champions.

Further Reading

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

Celtics, Jayson Tatum Agree to Most Lucrative Deal in NBA History

Celtics' Ownership Group Announces Plan to Sell the Franchise

Derrick White, Essential to Celtics' Dynasty Hopes, Signs 4-Year Extension

Celtics Work Quickly to Re-Sign Luke Kornet

Brad Stevens Shares His Outlook on Celtics' Draft Picks

Baylor Scheierman Shares Celtics' Feedback Before Drafting Him

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

Jayson Tatum, an NBA Champion Entering Peak of His Powers

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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