The Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla has been named Coach of the Year, the league announced on Tuesday (Twitter link). He earned the Red Auerbach Trophy, named after the Celtics’ coaching legend.
Mazzulla is the first Celtics head coach to win the award since Bill Fitch in 1979/80 and the fourth in franchise history, a group that also includes Auerbach (1964-65) and Tom Heinsohn (1972-73). At 37, Mazzulla is the youngest Coach of the Year since Phil Johnson in 1974/75.
Mazzulla led Boston to a 56-26 record and the No. 2 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, including a 51-19 mark after a 5-7 start.
Mazzulla received 62 first-place votes, 24 second-place votes and 10 third-place votes, totalling 392 points. The Pistons’ J.B. Bickerstaff finished second in the voting with 312 points (29 first-place votes, 51 second and 14 third). Spurs coach Mitch Johnson finished a distant third with 133 points (9 first, 17 second, 37 third). A global media panel of 100 voters selected the Coach of the Year. Full results can be found here.
The Celtics issued a statement in which Mazzulla expressed his thanks but felt it should be a shared award.
“Thank you to the Lord for the platform he has given me, and to my wife and family who support me on this journey,” he said. “Thank you to our players who compete and give it everything they have each night. I am grateful for every member of the Celtics organization whose dedication impacts winning every day. This award belongs to our staff, who are there for the guys every day. Their relentless work ethic improves our team daily. This award should be named Staff of the Year.”
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens praised his head coach and staff.
“This is well deserved recognition and a testament to both Joe and his staff,” he said. “With all of our unknowns entering the season, Joe did a fantastic job building and growing a team. He pours everything he has into competing at a high level, while helping players find the best versions of themselves within the framework of a team. On top of all of that, Joe leads with an authentic care for the Celtics and everyone he works with – players, coaches, and staff.”
HE DOESN’T CARE!!!
I love that about him. He needs to develop his play calling in time outs more, but this guy works hard and motivates with the best of them. Well deserved.
I hate the Celtics but I love Mazzulla! I would hire him in a heartbeat if they get rid of him. It drives me nuts when I go to Celtics forums and they talk about firing him.
Wow no love at all for Mike Brown.
Mike Brown has had a hell of a run in the playoffs, but since this is a regular season award I don’t see how his in the running. Most people picked them 1-2 in the east and they came up 3rd. I think they had a 1 win improvement from last year. I’m not crapping on him, give him his props. I just don’t see him as the guy to get that based upon regular season