Boston Celtics Name Joe Mazzulla Permanent Head Coach

The Boston Celtics are happy with their new direction. The team officially announced Joe Mazzulla has been named the permanent head coach.

Joe Mazzulla is officially the 19th Head Coach in franchise history 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/LMcTLS1u0m
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 16, 2023

Mazzulla had been serving in an interim capacity ever since head coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the 2022-23 season for what at the time was described as an improper relationship with a member of the organization. Udoka led the Celtics to a 51-31 record and an NBA Finals appearance in his first (and only) season with the team.

Mazzulla has kept the Celtics rolling through the 2022-23 season; their .712 winning percentage exceeds last year's mark of .622, and they currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference standings. Given the unseemliness and uncertainty of Udoka's situation, it makes sense for the Celtics to move on and build on their current success. Franchise cornerstones Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both enjoying career years, and the Celtics appear poised for perennial contention.

Udoka's fate remains to be seen. Depending on what teams think of his suspension, he may have sabotaged his future head coaching prospects. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and the San Antonio Spurs. He may have to lean on his existing relationships and accept a similarly low-profile position.