Celtics Officially Name Joe Mazzulla as 19th Head Coach in Team History

Boston named its new head coach Thursday

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics have their guy.

Boston entered the 2022-23 campaign in turmoil as former head coach Ime Udoka was suspended just before training camp opening up the door for Joe Mazzulla to come in and serve as the team's interim head coach. The 34-year-old is an interim no longer as the team officially announced Mazzulla as the 19th head coach in team history Thursday. 

Joe Mazzulla is officially the 19th Head Coach in franchise history 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/LMcTLS1u0m

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 16, 2023

Mazzulla joins former Celtics assistant Will Hardy as the youngest head coaches currently in the NBA with both being currently 34 years old. 

The Boston head coach began his coaching career way back in 2011 as an assistant for Glenville State. Mazzulla was with Glenville State from 2011-2013 and then became an assistant at Fairmont State from 2013-2016. His first taste of professional basketball coaching came in 2016 as an assistant with the Maine Celtics. 

Mazzulla got his first head coaching opportunity with Fairmont State from 2017-19 and then joined the Celtics' coaching staff in 2019 as an assistant. He has worked his way and has shined in his role with Boston so far this season. 

Boston currently the NBA's best record at 42-17 at the All-Star break and remarkably have done this with a plethora of injuries all throughout the season. The Celtics have missed Robert Williams, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Malcolm Brogdon at different points this season but the team has still found ways to win. 

With his promotion to being named Boston's head coach, Mazzulla also signed an extension with the club although the details were not released. 

Mazzulla's next game he will coach will be the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 19 and then the Celtics will return to action Feb. 23 against the Indiana Pacers as they look to may their way back to the NBA Finals. 

Further Reading

Tuesday's Near-Win for Shorthanded Celtics vs. Bucks Not a Moral Victory, But Boston Sees the Value of the Experience

Here's What Stood Out in the Celtics' Loss vs. Bucks: Shorthanded Visitors Fight Valiantly, But Inability to Close Quarters Proves Costly

Grant Williams Reportedly Seeking Contract In the $20 Million Annually Range

Jayson Tatum to Participate in 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend

Celtics Guard Wins NBA Player of the Week For First Time in Career After Massive Week

Mike Muscala on Celtics Debut: 'a Blessing, it was Fun'

Derrick White Discusses His Career Night and Matching a Celtics Franchise Record

Celtics Reportedly 'Engaged' with Several Potential Buyout Candidates