Celtics' Coaching Staff Reportedly Undergoing Major Shakeup

There will be significant changes to the Celtics' coaching staff for the fourth-straight year.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics' coaching staff will undergo a significant transformation for the fourth year in a row.

After the 2020-21 campaign, Brad Stevens moved into the front office, replacing Danny Ainge as the franchise's president of basketball operations. Three of the team's top assistant coaches, Jerome Allen, Jay Larranaga, and Jamie Young, went elsewhere.

Boston's new bench boss, Ime Udoka, brought almost an entirely new coaching staff. Many of them shared Oregon roots with him.

What happened after the Celtics came within two wins of Banner 18 is well documented. Udoka, now the Rockets' head coach, got suspended for violations of team policies. Will Hardy had already departed to become head coach of the Utah Jazz.

Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Mazzulla got thrown into the fire, filling the void left by Udoka's exit a week before training camp. He wasn't a long-time assistant like Adrian Griffin, who, after years in the two-seat, is getting his chance as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Johnston, Rhode Island native sat behind the bench a season ago. And at 34, he was the youngest active head coach in the NBA in 2022-23. He needed more experience added to his staff.

Boston made overtures to Frank Vogel and tried to get Larranaga, now with the Clippers, back, but both attempts were to no avail. Then, Damon Stoudamire departed to become head coach of the Georgia Tech's men's basketball program.

While it's harder to find an assistant coach a team wants to add in-season, the Celtics' staff getting even smaller, losing a top assistant in Stoudamire, who filled in for Mazzulla when the latter missed two games due to corneal abrasions, was another significant hit to a group already lacking the experience necessary to support their rookie bench boss to the extent needed.

According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, assistants Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles, and Mike Moser are expected to join Udoka in Houston.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Sullivan, an assistant under Mike Budenholzer when the Bucks captured the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2021, brought championship experience to the Celtics' staff. He's also an outstanding shooting coach who worked closely with Derrick White and Grant Williams, often seen doing drills with them after practice.

As a former star for the Kansas Jayhawks, Miles' ability to relate to players carried considerable value, especially after Stoudamire left. And among the coaching staff, Moser was Jayson Tatum's primary workout partner.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Miles hasn't reached a decision yet, with multiple teams, including the Rockets, showing interest. However, Scotto reports, in addition to Sullivan and Moser, Garrett Jackson is also leaving for Houston.

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Silas, the former Rockets' head coach Udoka is replacing, was at the Auerbach Center at times during the playoffs and showed up to TD Garden. So did Phil Pressey. It seems likely both will be in Boston next season.

Unfortunately, with the Suns hiring Frank Vogel as their new head coach and paying a premium to retain top assistant Kevin Young, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, two of the best potential options are off the board.

But as the Celtics aim to strengthen their coaching staff, they should reach out to Sam Cassell, Dave Joerger, Charles Lee, and any other top assistant on a team that's recently changed who its head coach is. Nate McMillan's another intriguing option. So is Jared Dudley if they can entice him to leave the Mavericks.

The bottom line is Boston's coaching staff needed bolstering even before finding out about the expected exiting of four of its top assistants. Now, a need that stayed in the spotlight throughout the Celtics' playoff run becomes even more glaring.

Further Reading

Celtics' Championship Aspirations Undermined by Identity Crisis

With Partnership at Crossroads, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum Discuss Former's Future with Celtics

Celtics Discuss Trying to Overcome Jayson Tatum's Ankle Injury in Game 7 Loss to Heat: 'A Shell of Myself'

Malcolm Brogdon Explains What Caused Boston Celtics to Miss 2023 NBA Finals

Here's What Stood Out in Game 7 Loss to Heat: Celtics Come Up Small, Enter Offseason of Uncertainty

Derrick White Discusses Season-Saving Buzzer Beater: 'Now It's on to Game 7'

The Celtics Could've Folded and Flamed Out, Instead, They're Inching Closer to History: 'We're Not Going Down Like This'

Film Room: Grant Williams' Value on Full Display in Celtics' Game 4 Win vs. Heat

Celtics Stars Speak on Team Sticking Together Down 3-0: 'We Didn't Want That to Define Us'

Jaylen Brown Responds to Rumors of Disconnect in Celtics Locker Room