Monday, news broke that Celtics' lead assistant coach Damon Stoudamire is returning to the collegiate ranks to take the helm of the Georgia Tech men's basketball program.
The former seventh overall pick's experience coaching in the NCAA includes multiple stints with the University of Memphis Tigers, doing so for his alma mater, the Arizona Wildcats, and as head coach of the Pacific Tigers.
Stoudamire, who's from Oregon, came to Boston with Ime Udoka. After Will Hardy left over the summer to become head coach of the Utah Jazz, the former Rookie of the Year took on the role of lead assistant.
Stoudamire has been instrumental in the growth of many Celtics players, including Marcus Smart, helping the team's floor general mature his game and organize the offense. Last year, Smart finally got the chance to be Boston's full-time point guard and responded with the best season of his career.
And when Joe Mazzulla missed two games due to corneal abrasions, Stoudamire filled in as head coach, overseeing wins against the Rockets and Clippers.
As luck would have it, Stoudamire's mom, visiting her son for Christmas, was in attendance for the victory vs. Houston, his first game as an NBA head coach.
Stoudamire's last game with the Celtics was also against the Rockets. On the heels of their 111-109 loss on Monday, Jayson Tatum expressed the following about Stoudamire as he departs for Georgia Tech.
"Happy for him. It's as simple as that. (He's) extremely deserving. (I'm) excited (for) what he's gonna do there, and we all just wish him the best. Love the time that we've had to be around him and spend with him, but when an opportunity like that comes around, you have to take it."
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