Brad Stevens was visibly emotional addressing media on Friday afternoon regarding the suspension of head coach Ime Udoka.
The Boston Celtics are facing a considerable amount of turmoil heading into the 2022-23 season. Just ahead of training camp, the team announced that it would be suspending Ime Udoka for at least the entirety of the season, leaving the door open for further penalties moving forward.
Information is still being reported daily, but here’s the crux what we know so far:
- Ime Udoka had a relationship with a female staffer that appeared to be consensual.
- After receiving complaints from the female employee about unwanted verbal advances, the team investigated.
- Today we learned that the team hired a law firm to lead the internal investigation.
- The results of the investigation resulted in the punishment for Udoka.
- Udoka is the only person facing punishment.
- Brad Stevens will not return to coach the Celtics.
Brad Stevens was visibly emotional regarding the impact toward female employees
Speaking to the media about the incident on Friday, here’s what Celtics President of Basketball Operations had to say about the impact on female employees:
“I thought, you know, we have a lot of talented women in our organization. And I thought yesterday was really hard on them. And I think that, you know, nobody can control Twitter speculation. Rampant. Bullsh–. But um, I do think that we as an organization have a responsibility to make sure we’re there to support ’em now because a lot of people were dragged unfairly into that.”
Stevens’ voice broke as he delivered this message in solidarity with the female employees of the Celtics organization. You can view a video of the quote here.
Celtics hired law firm to handle internal investigation
Previously, it was unknown the extent of the investigation that led to the suspension. It was speculated that the findings had to be damaging and convincing enough to lead to such a lengthy suspension.
Today, we learned that the Celtics hired a law firm to lead the investigation.
Brad Stevens will not be coming back to coach Celtics
In addition to this news, Stevens clarified that he has no interest in returning to coach the Celtics. Joe Mazulla is the interim head coach.
Mazulla has a prior arrest history. Over a decade ago he was arrested multiple times. Here’s ESPN on the incidents in 2010:
“West Virginia point guard Joe Mazzulla has developed a rather unfortunate habit of finding his way into the police blotter. The first incident came in 2008, when Mazzulla was charged with underage drinking and aggravated assault at a Pittsburgh Pirates game. Last year, Mazzulla was suspended by West Virginia coach Bob Huggins for his arrest on charges of domestic battery. Mazzulla allegedly grabbed a woman by the neck at The Lady Lizard bar in Morgantown, W.Va. Both incidents involved alcohol.”
Stevens commented on the arrest history:
There is certainly more info to come on the situation.