Joe Mazzulla Among Fastest to Reach Milestone Coaching Win in NBA History

Former Mountaineer guard turned NBA head coach Joe Mazzulla reached a big benchmark in his coaching career on Wednesday night.

The Celtics destroyed the Brooklyn Nets 136-86, marking the 100th as an NBA head coach. Mazzulla became one of the fastest to reach the milestone win in NBA history. In fact, only three coaches have reached 100 wins faster than Mazzulla in the last 70 years.

This is Joe Mazzulla's 100th win as Celtics head coach.

In the last 70 years, only three NBA coaches have reached 100 wins faster (Steve Kerr, Tom Thibodeau, Avery Johnson)

He remains the NBA's all-time winningest coach (min. 100 wins) pic.twitter.com/SkNNakcKIq

— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) February 15, 2024

Boston now sits at 43-12 after the win, which extends their lead for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics currently hold the NBA’s best overall record.

Mazzulla took over the interim duties for Ime Udoka before the 2022-2023 season. He led the reigning Eastern Conference Champions to 57 wins. Mazzulla also coached in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

Mazzulla, who played guard at West Virginia from 2006-11, has worked his way up the coaching ladder over the past decade. Mazzulla began pursing a coaching career following his graduation from West Virginia. Following coaching stints at Glenville State and Fairmont State, the former Mountaineer was hired as an assistant of the Maine Red Claws, Boston’s G-League team. Mazzulla went back to Fairmont State in 2017 to serve as the head coach of the Fighting Falcons.

During his WVU days, Mazzulla was most known for his 17-point performance in the 2010 Elite Eight against Kentucky. Mazzulla stepped in for an injured Truck Bryant, helping the Mountaineers reach their first Final Four since 1959. Mazzulla played 145 career games at West Virginia.