The Celtics have added Jeff Van Gundy to their coaching staff, naming him a senior consultant, writes Brian Robb of MassLive.com. Robb reached out to the team to confirm the hiring after fans noticed that Van Gundy was listed as part of the staff on the Celtics’ official website.
Van Gundy, 61, was a longtime NBA head coach in New York and Houston. He led the Knicks to a 420-248 (.590) regular-season record from 1995-2001, winning eight playoff series and making one appearance in the NBA Finals during that time.
He subsequently coached the Rockets from 2003-07, guiding the team to a 182-146 (.555) regular-season mark, but failing to get beyond the first round of the postseason.
After being dismissed by the Rockets, Van Gundy transitioned into broadcasting, eventually becoming part of ESPN/ABC’s top three-man team alongside Mike Breen and Mark Jackson. However, Van Gundy and Jackson were let go by ESPN earlier this year as part of the company’s layoffs.
Van Gundy hasn’t been entirely removed from coaching since his Houston exit — he served as the Team USA head coach at multiple events, including 2017’s FIBA AmeriCup and the qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup.
According to Robb, Van Gundy will be working in the Celtics’ basketball operations department and will spend time with both the NBA team and the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate.
The Celtics have made a series of changes to Joe Mazzulla‘s coaching staff this offseason ahead of his second year at the helm. Charles Lee and Sam Cassell were among the veteran assistants brought in by the franchise.
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