Jeff Van Gundy has been a fixture of the 2023-22 Celtics behind the scenes, attending nearly every practice and shootaround since being hired as a senior consultant back in October. The former head coach spoke about his season in Boston for the first time this weekend in an appearance with former broadcast partner Mark Jackson and his son Mark Jackson Jr. on the Mark Jackson Show. In the interview, the 62-year-old revealed the painful circumstances leading up to his hire in Boston and gave an emotional appreciation for how the team helped him get through a tough time.
“I got fired from ESPN on June 30, and then my youngest son went to school in August so we became empty nesters,” Van Gundy said. “Then my sister-in-law tragically passed away in the middle of August as well. Then, my best friend in Houston contracted cancer, and he died this spring.
“When I went to work for the Celtics after the FIBA World Cup last fall, I only knew Brad Stevens a little bit. I was really in an awkward place in life, not really knowing where I was going or what my purpose was, or how I’d be with this new group of people where I didn’t know anyone. It’s been one of the most rejuvenating things I’ve ever gone through. Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla threw me a lifeline.”
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Van Gundy accepting a job in October with the Celtics was his first with an NBA team after broadcasting for the last 16 years with ESPN. Prior to his TV work, Van Gundy was a standout with multiple teams as an NBA coach, putting together a 430-318 record with the Knicks and Rockets over 11 seasons.
Brad Stevens praised Van Gundy’s impact this season with the team during an April interview.
“Jeff’s been great,” Stevens said. “And it’s all the way through that coaching staff. They’ve been terrific. Jeff, in his consultant role, our six player enhancement coaches have been amazing with our ‘stay ready’ group.”
Van Gundy has been rumored to officially job Mazzulla’s coaching staff back next season, replacing top assistant Charles Lee. However, he’s also a candidate to join Ty Lue’s staff with the Clippers. No matter where Van Gundy ends up, the veteran coach spoke about his admiration for Joe Mazzulla and his staff amid their run to the NBA Finals.
“Everybody on that coaching staff has welcomed me with open arms,” Van Gundy said. “It’s a very young coaching staff. There is no one else other than Sam who is over 40 years old. I’ve learned so much. I’ve been embraced and welcomed in. The whole organization from ownership to Brad’s staff to the coaching staff has just been remarkable. I think you can never have better team chemistry than you have coaching staff chemistry. Joe is such a good coach and a good leader but what he’s done so very well is assemble a group of coaches that care about the results more than the credit. They have great chemistry together.
“I admire how he coaches his team and coaches his coaching staff and allows them a voice and a runway to express what they feel. Everyone falls into line into what Joe decides is best for the group. After the summer, I was not in a great place. I’ll always and forever be appreciative of what Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff has done for me.”
