Celtics senior consultant Jeff Van Gundy’s time in Boston is ending after a title win. The veteran coach is leaving the team to join Ty Lue’s coaching staff according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com.
Boston brought Van Gundy, 62, aboard in October to serve as a consultant under basketball operations after broadcasting for the last 16 years with ESPN.
Van Gundy was rumored to be a candidate to join Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff next season following the departure of Charles Lee to the Hornets. However, a hefty offer from the Clippers likely helped the team land Van Gundy to serve as a top assistant on Lue’s staff. The two have a relationship from Van Gundy coaching Lue back in 2004 in Houston.
Van Gundy spoke about his appreciation for his work with the Celtics over the weekend in an interview on the Mark Jackson Podcast.
“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.”
Van Gundy had great success as an NBA head coach before entering broadcasting, putting together a 430-318 record with the Knicks and Rockets over 11 seasons.
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