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Joe Mazzulla

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Joe Mazzulla
Mazzulla with the Boston Celtics in 2024
Boston Celtics
PositionHead coach
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1988-06-30) June 30, 1988 (age 36)
Johnston, Rhode Island, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolBishop Hendricken
(Warwick, Rhode Island)
CollegeWest Virginia (2006–2011)
NBA draft2011: undrafted
Coaching career2011–present
Career history
As coach:
2011–2013Glenville State (assistant)
2013–2016Fairmont State (assistant)
2016–2017Maine Red Claws (assistant)
2017–2019Fairmont State
2019–2022Boston Celtics (assistant)
2022–2023Boston Celtics (interim head coach)
2023–presentBoston Celtics
Career highlights and awards

Joseph Mazzulla (born June 30, 1988) is an American professional basketball coach who is the head coach for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for West Virginia University as a point guard.

Mazzulla joined the Celtics as an assistant coach in 2019 and was named interim head coach prior to the 2022–23 season before being named head coach in February 2023. In his second season, Mazzulla led the Celtics to a league-best 64 wins and an NBA championship. He currently holds the highest winning percentage of any coach in NBA history with over 150 games coached and is also the youngest head coach to win the NBA Finals since Bill Russell did so in 1969 as a player-coach.

Early life

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Joe Mazzulla playing basketball at Bishop Hendricken High School in 2005
Mazzulla playing at Bishop Hendricken High School in 2005

Joseph Mazzulla was born in Johnston, Rhode Island on June 30, 1988. He attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island, making the all-state first team.[1] Mazzulla won three state titles at Bishop Hendricken, with his third as a senior on a last-second shot.[2]

College career

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As a freshman at West Virginia, Mazzulla helped the team win the 2007 National Invitation Tournament under coach John Beilein.[1]

In the 2008 NCAA tournament, Mazzulla posted 13 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in a second-round upset of Duke. He was forced to redshirt the 2008–09 season due to a shoulder injury against Ole Miss, as his growth plate never fused with his shoulder.[3] Mazzulla was unsure if he would ever play again, but practiced for two hours a day and underwent surgery to make a comeback.[4]

In April 2009, Mazzulla was arrested for domestic battery at a bar in Morgantown, West Virginia, and was suspended by coach Bob Huggins.[2] Around this time, Mazzulla received a phone call from Mountaineer legend Jerry West. West criticized Mazzulla for failing to live up to expectations and pleaded with him not to waste his talents any longer. Mazzulla credits this call for helping to set him on the right path.[5]

As a redshirt junior, Mazzulla was named a captain and helped West Virginia reach the 2010 Final Four, where the Mountaineers lost to eventual champion Duke. In the game prior, he scored a then-career-high 17 points in the Elite Eight upset of Kentucky.[6][7]

As a senior, Mazzulla averaged 7.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.[8]

In his collegiate career, Mazzulla recorded 700 points and 340 assists.[9]

Coaching career

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College coaching career

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Shortly after graduating from college, Mazzulla was offered a coaching job at Nova Southeastern but turned it down to pursue professional playing opportunities.[10] Mazzulla joined Glenville State as an assistant in September 2011 after he was unable to find any professional playing opportunities.[11]

In 2013, Mazzulla was hired as an assistant at Fairmont State under Jerrod Calhoun.[1] During the 2016–17 season, Mazzulla served as an assistant for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G League.

Mazzulla was named head coach of Fairmont State in March 2017.[8] During his second season, Mazzulla led the team to a 22–9 record and an appearance in the 2019 NCAA Division II tournament, where they lost in the first round to Mercyhurst, 63–60, in overtime.[12]

Boston Celtics

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Assistant coach

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On June 24, 2019, Mazzulla was hired as an assistant coach of the Boston Celtics.[9] In 2022, he interviewed with the Utah Jazz for their head coaching vacancy, but the position ultimately went to fellow Celtics assistant coach Will Hardy.[13][14]

Head coach

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2022–23 season: First season as head coach
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Mazzulla in 2022

On September 22, 2022, just days before the beginning of training camp, Mazzulla was named interim head coach for the Celtics after Ime Udoka was suspended for the entire 2022–23 season due to violating team policies.[15][16] On December 1, Mazzulla was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for October and November after the Celtics began the season with a league-best 18–4 record.[17] On January 30, 2023, he was named the head coach for Team Giannis for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.[18]

On February 16, 2023, the Celtics officially named Mazzulla the 19th head coach in franchise history and signed him to a contract extension after Mazzulla led the team to a league-best 42–17 record at the NBA All-Star break.[19][20] In April, he was named one of three finalists for NBA Head Coach of the Year.[21] The Celtics entered the playoffs as the #2-seed in the Eastern Conference with a 57–25 record. They went on to beat the Atlanta Hawks in six games during the first round and the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals.[22][23] However, the Celtics lost to the #8-seed Miami Heat during the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games, despite losing the first three games of the series.[24]

2023–24 season: First NBA Championship
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Mazzulla was retained as head coach for the 2023–24 season and received the endorsement of President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, who called him "a terrific leader" and "accountable."[25][26]

During the season, Mazzulla earned two Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards, one in December and another in March.[27][28] With a league-best 64–18 record, the Celtics had their first 60-plus-win season since 2009 and took the #1 overall seed in the NBA along with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since their last championship season.[29][30] The Celtics went on to beat the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in five games during the first round and Eastern Conference Semifinals, respectively.[31][32] After completing a 4–0 sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals,[33] Mazzulla, at the age of 35, became the youngest head coach to make the NBA Finals since Bill Russell in 1969.[34] The Celtics went on to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in five games during the 2024 NBA Finals, giving Mazzulla his first NBA championship.[35] Mazzulla also became the youngest head coach to win the NBA Finals in over 50 years.[36][37]

Personal life

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Mazzulla's father, Dan, was of Italian descent and was a basketball player and coach who died in 2020.[38] Mazzulla is of African descent from his mother.[39] Mazzulla's younger brother, Justin, played basketball at George Washington University before transferring to the University of Vermont.[40][41] Justin is currently an assistant video coordinator for the Utah Jazz.[42]

Mazzulla has been married to Camai Roberson since 2014, whom he met while coaching at Glenville State University in 2011.[43][44] They have a son named Emmanuel. Mazzulla also has a stepson named Michael.[45]

Mazzulla is a devout Catholic, saying that his identity comes from his "faith" and "purpose".[46][47]

Mazzulla is a fan of Premier League club Manchester City, and has developed a friendship with Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola.[48]

Head coaching record

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College

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Fairmont State (Mountain East Conference) (2017–2019)
2017–18 Fairmont State 21–8 17–5 3rd
2018–19 Fairmont State 22–9 18–4 2nd NCAA Division II First Round
Fairmont State: 43–17 (.717) 35–9 (.795)
Total: 43–17 (.717)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

NBA

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Legend
Regular season G Games coached W Games won L Games lost W–L % Win–loss %
Playoffs PG Playoff games PW Playoff wins PL Playoff losses PW–L % Playoff win–loss %
‡ NBA record
Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
Boston 2022–23 82 57 25 .695 1st in Atlantic 20 11 9 .550 Lost in conference finals
Boston 2023–24 82 64 18 .780 1st in Atlantic 19 16 3 .842 Won NBA championship
Career 164 121 43 .738‡   39 27 12 .692  

References

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  1. ^ a b c Furfari, Mickey (April 28, 2015). "Mazzulla enjoys coaching after great hoops career at WVU". The Register-Herald. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Thamel, Pete (March 26, 2010). "West Virginia Rides a Guard in Full Revival". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  3. ^ Thamel, Pete (March 27, 2010). "West Virginia Rides a Guard in Full Revival". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  4. ^ "West Virginia's Mazzulla making progress". www.statesboroherald.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  5. ^ O'Brien, Ashley (June 13, 2024). "Watch: Joe Mazzulla remarks on late Jerry West". Blue Gold Sports. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Fenton, Jim (July 4, 2019). "New England native Joe Mazzulla comes full circle with new role as Celtics assistant coach". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  7. ^ "Mountaineers stop Kentucky, advance to first Final Four since 1959". ESPN. March 28, 2010. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Former WVU guard Joe Mazzulla named new Fairmont State men's basketball coach". Charleston Gazette-Mail. March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Jackson, Justin (June 24, 2019). "Fairmont State coach Joe Mazzulla, ex-WVU standout, hired by Celtics". WV Metro News. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  10. ^ Danesi, Paul (July 12, 2011). "Basketball in his blood, Mazzulla looks for next turn in career". Warwick Beacon. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  11. ^ Leung, Diamond (September 26, 2011). "Joe Mazzulla lands assistant coaching job". ESPN. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  12. ^ Jackson, Justin (June 24, 2019). "Fairmont State coach Joe Mazzulla, ex-WVU standout, hired by Celtics". WV MetroNews. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  13. ^ "Mazzulla explains how failed interview with Jazz made him a better coach". NBC Sports Boston. January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  14. ^ King, Jay (March 19, 2023). "Danny Ainge has faith in Joe Mazzulla, thinks Celtics coach could be 'legendary'". The Athletic. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Himmselbach, Adam (September 22, 2022). "Celtics to suspend coach Ime Udoka for a year, will make Joe Mazzulla interim coach". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  16. ^ "Boston Celtics Suspend Head Coach Ime Udoka". NBA.com. September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  17. ^ "Monty Williams, Joe Mazzulla named NBA Coaches of the Month". NBA.com. December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  18. ^ "Celtics' Joe Mazzulla named coach of Team Giannis in 2023 All-Star Game". NBA.com. January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  19. ^ Snow, Taylor (February 16, 2023). "Mazzulla 'Grateful' After Being Named Full-Time Head Coach". NBA.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "Boston Celtics officially name Joe Mazzulla head coach, remove interim tag". CBS Boston. February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  21. ^ Rafferty, Scott (April 14, 2023). "NBA award finalists 2023: Full list of candidates for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and more". sportingnews.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  22. ^ "Celtics pull away, beat Hawks 128-120 for 4-2 series win". ESPN. April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  23. ^ "Tatum sets Game 7 record with 51 points, Celtics beat 76ers 112-88". ESPN. May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "Jimmy Butler helps Heat to 103-84 Game 7 win over Celtics and spot in NBA Finals". WCVB. May 29, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  25. ^ "Celtics to keep Mazzulla, 'want Jaylen to be here'". ESPN.com. June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  26. ^ Callihan, Schuyler (June 5, 2023). "Former Celtics GM Says Joe Mazzulla is 'Better Than Ime Udoka'". Sports Illustrated West Virginia Mountaineers News, Analysis and More. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Hass, Trevor (January 4, 2024). "Joe Mazzulla earns Coach of the Month honors". CelticsBlog. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  28. ^ Leger, Justin (April 2, 2024). "Mazzulla, Udoka earn Coach of the Month honors for March". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  29. ^ Goss, Nick (April 15, 2024). "Celtics hit some amazing milestones, set franchise records in 2023-24". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  30. ^ Sy, Bill (April 7, 2024). "Down to the wire: with #1 seed locked up, Celtics eye familiar first round opponents". CelticsBlog. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  31. ^ "Celtics advance to East semifinals, beating short-handed Heat 118-84 in Game 5". ESPN. May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  32. ^ "Jayson Tatum scores 25 to lead Celtics past Cavaliers 113-98 and into 3rd consecutive East finals". ESPN. May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  33. ^ "Celtics rally late again to close out Pacers for 4-0 sweep in Eastern Conference finals". ESPN. May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  34. ^ Geagan, Matt (May 28, 2024). "Joe Mazzulla is the youngest head coach to make NBA Finals since Bill Russell - CBS Boston". cbsnews.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  35. ^ Bontemps, Tim (June 17, 2024). "Celtics stomp Mavs, clinch record 18th NBA title". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  36. ^ "Celtics' Joe Mazzulla becomes youngest coach since 1970 to win NBA title". NBA.com. June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  37. ^ Leger, Justin (June 17, 2024). "Mazzulla joins Bill Russell in NBA history books as Celtics win title". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  38. ^ Koch, Bill (April 23, 2020). "R.I. loses 2 legendary hoops coaches". Providence Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  39. ^ Shaughnessy, Dan (September 28, 2022). "Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, a Rhode Island kid, remains a mystery. One thing we know? 'I'm 0-0, so no one's mad at me yet.'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  40. ^ Abrami, Alex (November 25, 2019). "George Washington transfer Justin Mazzulla commits to UVM basketball". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  41. ^ Detweiler, Eric (November 3, 2017). "Mazzulla Brothers to Clash in GW Exhibtion [sic] Game Saturday". Atlantic 10 Conference. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  42. ^ Rincon, Jeremy (June 7, 2024). "Utah Jazz Announce Basketball Operations Staff Updates". Utah Jazz. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  43. ^ Warnock, Caroline (April 21, 2023). "Camai Roberson Mazzulla, Joe Mazzulla's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  44. ^ Lemoncelli, Jenna (June 18, 2024). "How Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla celebrated NBA title with wife". NYPost.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  45. ^ Taylor, Sean (July 3, 2019). "Joe Mazzulla Writes Touching Letter to West Virginia". Mountaineer Sports. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  46. ^ McNamara, Kevin (October 6, 2022). "Joe Who? Everyone in Rhode Island knows Johnston Joe Mazzulla". Kevin McSports. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  47. ^ Dowd, Cooper (May 5, 2023). "Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla: 'My Identity Comes From My Faith and My Purpose'". Movieguide.org. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  48. ^ "Bond between Celtics' Joe Mazzulla and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola's on display at NBA Finals". AP News. June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
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