The search is on for a new coach in Boston after last week’s news of Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge’s retirement. Coach Brad Stevens was quickly promoted to fill his role in the front office, leaving the C’s wondering who will lead them on the court next season.
However, it seems that Stevens won’t let his team remain without a coach for long. ESPN sources have said that the new president interviewed Celtics assistant coaches and will now begin speaking to outside contenders.
It has been reported that Stevens’ interviews within the organization included Jerome Allen, Jay Larranaga, Joe Mazzulla, and Scott Morrison. However, Stevens may have some issues hiring from his previous staff, as Jerome Allen has reportedly been offered a role with the Pistons.
As the former coach extends his search, he is looking at a Clippers assistant coach and former Celtics player Chauncey Billups. Billups is also familiar with winning championships after getting a title in 2004 with the Pistons and being named NBA Finals MVP. He seems like the ideal candidate as an MVP, five-time All-Star, and Boston draft pick, but Stevens may be competing with the Trail Blazers for him.
Along with Billups are assistant coaches: Darvin Ham and Charles Lee (Bucks), Jamahl Mosley (Mavericks), and Ime Udoka (Nets).
Darvin Ham and Charles Lee both coach alongside Mike Budenholzer in Milwaukee and are currently in the Eastern Conference semifinals with the Nets. Before joining the Bucks, Ham played eight seasons in the NBA and was an assistant coach for the Lakers and Hawks. Lee joined Ham on the Hawks a year later for his first NBA position where both Milwaukee candidates helped them reach the Eastern Conference finals in 2015.
Jamahl Mosley has been an assistant coach for the Mavericks since 2014. He began his career with the Nuggets and spent two seasons in player development and three as an assistant coach. Mosley is another potential hire with playoff experience, helping the Nuggets get to the playoffs in each season as an assistant and reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2009. He was also an assistant coach for the Cavaliers for four seasons before joining the Mavericks.
Ime Udoka coaches with Steve Nash on the Nets where they are currently competing against the Bucks to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Udoka played in Europe and the NBA as a Laker, Knick, Trail Blazer, King, and Spur. He also held a role as an assistant coach in San Antonio and Philadelphia before coming to Brooklyn. As an assistant in San Antonio, he helped the Spurs win the NBA Finals in 2014.
While the names that have been revealed as candidates for the head coach position in Boston are familiar with helping establish a winning atmosphere, ESPN sources said Brad Stevens is expected to have a large applicant pool for the role. It is unclear whether his goal is to hire in-house or from another organization, but there seems to be a timeline on his decision with the Pacers, Magic, and Trail Blazers also searching for a head coach.
As Celtics fans await more information, they can rely on Brad Stevens’ to bring the best to Boston’s sidelines.
(Picture of Chauncey Billips/NBA.com)