Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, a Johnston native who starred at Bishop Hendricken High School and played under the legendary Bob Huggins at West Virginia, has been named the 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year.
According to the Celtics, he becomes the fourth Boston head coach to win the award (Red Auerbach, Tom Heinsohn, Bill Fitch). Mazzulla guided Boston to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 56-26 regular season record. Mazzulla’s staff and assistant coaches included Sam Cassell, Tony Dobbins, D.J. MacLeay, Da’Sean Butler, Nana Foulland, Amile Jefferson, Tyler Lashbrook, Craig Luschenat, Ross McMains, Alex Merg, Phil Pressey, God Shammgod Jr., and Steve Tchiengang.
“Thank you to the Lord for the platform he has given me, and to my wife and family who support me on this journey,” Mazzulla said in a statement released by the team.
“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.”
The NBA Coach of the Year Award trophy is named in honor of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Red Auerbach. The legendary head coach guided the Celtics to nine NBA championships, including eight in a row from 1959-66.
“This is well deserved recognition and a testament to both Joe and his staff,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “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.”
Ranking second in the NBA in offensive rating (120.0) and fourth in defensive rating (111.7), Boston was one of two teams this season to be in the top four in both offensive and defensive rating. The Celtics also led the league in several categories this season, including fewest turnovers per game (12.4), fewest opponent points in the paint per game (40.1), and fewest steals allowed per game (6.2). The Celtics averaged 16.9 second chance points per game this season, the team’s most in the play-by-play era, and averaged the team’s most offensive rebounds per game (12.5) since the 1999-2000 season. Boston was tied for the league lead in games allowing 100 points or less (22) this season and led the NBA in games with 20+ 3-pointers made (16).
The Celtics were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Philadelphia 76ers, who won their best-of-seven series 4-3.
In four seasons as Boston’s head coach, Mazzulla has a 238-90 regular season record (.726 winning percentage) and has gone 36-21 (.632) in the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla named NBA Coach of the Year
