Celtics name Joe Mazzulla as head coach, agree to extension

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics officially name Joe Mazzulla as head coach, agree to contract extension

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/16/23

Five months after being named the Boston Celtics interim head coach, Joe Mazzulla has now earned the full-time gig.

Mazzulla took over for the Celtics in September, shortly after former coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the entire 2022-23 season due to a violation of team policies related to an improper relationship with a female staff member. Mazzulla has led Boston to an NBA-best 42-17 record thus far.

The Celtics also announced that they've agreed to a contract extension with the 34-year-old.

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

“Mazzulla replaces Ime Udoka.” pic.twitter.com/PJihH8EV5B
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) February 16, 2023

Boston got off to a red-hot start in October and November (going 18-4) and earning Mazzulla Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honors. They've been at the top of the conference essentially all season and are looking to avenge last year's NBA Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Mazzulla joined the Celtics as an assistant coach in June 2019.

In January, he was named an NBA All-Star Game head coach for this weekend's event, as he will lead Team Giannis. Mazzulla is the eighth coach in Boston's history to have the honor.

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