4 Things the Boston Celtics' Interim Coach Must Do

As a kid growing up in Warwick, R.I., Joe Mazzulla watched his dad lead the girls basketball team at Johnston High School — and began developing his own coaching ambitions. 

Mazzulla went on to play at West Virginia for two legends, John Beilein and Bob Huggins, and after college, decided it was time to pursue his dream. He started as an assistant coach at Glenville State University — a school of just 1,500 students — for two seasons, before getting his first head coaching experience in 2017 at Fairmont State.

In two seasons, he led the Fighting Falcons to a 43-17 record, guiding the program to the Division II NCAA tournament. In 2019, Mazzulla joined the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach.

Last week, he was promoted to interim head coach for Ime Udoka, who was suspended for the year for violating multiple team policies.

At 34 years old, Mazzulla now fulfills a dream of taking over an NBA team. But his circumstances are far from ideal.

The Celtics were two wins away from an NBA title last year, with expectations for an even better 2022-23 season. It's undoubtedly a difficult situation, but, as Albert Einstein once said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” 

Mazzulla can't add years to his coaching ledger and cannot simply wish more experience into reality. So how does he navigate these incredibly unconventional circumstances?

First and foremost, he must be himself. He must embrace the situation and lead authentically, while being true to his core. From the moment he stands in front of the team on the first day, he must address Udoka's issues for the last time and not allow his players to look back.

For his team to improve, players must look forward — and he must do four things to get them to do so: 

1. Mazzulla needs to demonstrate that he knows what the job is and what it isn't. He can no longer play the same role as last year while having a bigger paycheck and title. Teams gain confidence when the coach is right; they develop dissension when he/she is wrong. Understanding what the job is is the first step to being right.

2. The team will adopt his attitude and behavior. Bad body language and being emotional will negatively affect them. Demonstrate mental strength through being poised and doing the same things repeatedly. The players are watching, and they will not stop.

3. He must be a truth teller. He cannot placate or tell the players what they want to hear. He can't fear the truth. He must educate those around him, from players to staff. It shouldn't seem like criticism, simply coaching. The truth might hurt, but it comes from a loving place.  

4. Find a mentor, someone outside the building, who can give unbiased information. Former President John F. Kennedy, for example, hired former English Prime Minister Harold Macmillan to give him council and wisdom.

Mazzulla must embrace the challenge and make everyone realize that while he might only be 34, he has been preparing for this his whole life.

The greatest leaders of all find the opportunity in the adversity.