Joe Mazzulla was named NBA Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season, the first Celtics coach to receive the honor since Bill Fitch in 1980. He became the fourth Celtics coach to win the award, joining Fitch, Tommy Heinsohn, and Red Auerbach. Mazzulla expressed gratitude to his family, players, and every member of the Celtics organization, emphasizing that the award should be recognized as “Staff of the Year.” Expectations were low for Boston due to setbacks in 2025, including the possibility of playing the season without Jayson Tatum after an Achilles tendon rupture and roster changes driven by cap constraints and luxury-tax concerns. Despite talent loss and increased minutes for unproven players, Boston finished second in the Eastern Conference with a 56-26 record.
"“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 team press release. “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.”"
"Expectations were low for the Celtics and Mazzulla entering the 2025-26 campaign - a season seemingly destined to be a bridge year for a Boston franchise that had been dealt several setbacks during the spring and summer of 2025. Boston was staring at the real possibility of playing the entire 2025-26 season without star Jayson Tatum after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals. And, a subsequent cap crunch and the need to alleviate looming luxury-tax ramifications forced Boston to overhaul its roster."
"Despite that talent drain and several unproven players earning elevated minutes, Mazzulla and the Celtics showed few signs of regression this past year. They finished second overall in the Eastern Conference with a record of 56-26. “This is well-deserved recognition and a testament to both Joe and his staff,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said in a release."
Read at Boston.com
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