Report: Boston Celtics Name Joe Mazzulla Interim Head Coach For 2022-23 Season

As first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics name Joe Mazzulla as their interim head coach for the 2022-23 NBA season. Wojnarowski reported on Thursday morning that Mazzulla was a serious candidate to take over for Ime Udoka, who was suspended for a season after violating team guidelines.

Mazzulla, who played guard at West Virginia from 2006-11, has worked his way up the coaching ladder over the past decade.

Mazzulla has served as a coaching assistant for the Celtics since 2019, coaching under Brad Stevens and Udoka. Mazzulla was recently interviewed for the opened Utah Jazz job, making it all the way to interviews with the organization.

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.

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.

Now, Mazzulla will take the keys for the reigning Eastern Conference champions for a season.