OT: Celtics hire Brad Stevens as their next head coach

Submitted by The Baughz on
Im not an NBA fan, but I love college hoops. This is not good for Butler and college basketball. I always thought Stevens would be the successor at Duke after Coach K hangs it up. I dont think many people saw this coming. Im shocked. I wish him the best of luck. Im sure he will do well in time.

Link=all over twitter/espn

MGoLogan

July 3rd, 2013 at 6:29 PM ^

This could impact UM as LaVall Jordan has to be a top candidate for the Butler job. He is a Butler grad and has recruited Indiana very well for UM. Those saying Blueitt is a UM lock now might be getting ahead of themselves.

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Lucky Socks

July 3rd, 2013 at 7:04 PM ^

I wonder if LaVall Jordan will be a candidate. He's an alum, and though he's still very young their previous coach was 28 when he was hired and that worked out fine. Jordan is fresh off a Final Four as a top assistant and has a rep as a terrific recruiter. I sure hope not. And no, I don't think Butler's AD is reading this blog. Jordan is from Albion and called Michigan a dream job when he was hired. Would love to hold on to him for a while longer and hope he's in line to succeed Beilein when his reign ends. I'm a big fan of coaches-in-waiting for continuity with players, recruits, and a stable program in general. Edit: didn't read the post right above mine but we agree it's a possibility

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Avant's Hands

July 3rd, 2013 at 7:16 PM ^

This just shocked me when I saw it. I really like Stevens, but I just have a hard time seeing his coaching strategy transfer to the NBA. Good luck to him, though. 

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robmorren2

July 3rd, 2013 at 7:24 PM ^

I think Butler could get a bigger name than Lavell Jordan (no offense to him, more of a nod to Butler and their success). Stevens really made Butler a big name. They'll probably reel in a mid-major coach who has had success.

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LSAClassOf2000

July 3rd, 2013 at 7:33 PM ^

Here's the Yahoo! story - (LINK). Stevens is quoted below:

"Our family is thrilled for the opportunity given to us by the leadership of the Boston Celtics, but it is emotional to leave a place that we have called home for the past 13 years,'' Stevens said in a release issued by the university. ''We truly love Butler University and Indianapolis, and are very thankful to have had the opportunity to celebrate so many wonderful things together."

Danny Ainge gave him high praise and said that they share similar values. You can tell in the article that Butler's president is sad to see Stevens go, calling him a "beloved member of our community". According to SBNation, via a link to SteveBHoop on Twitter, it's a six-year deal - no other details from the looks of it yet. 

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gwkrlghl

July 3rd, 2013 at 7:47 PM ^

but LaVall Jordan has got to be a fantastic candidate for them. Asst coach on a team that just went to the title game and recruits Indiana really well. I'd be happy for LaVall if he got it, but selfishly (obviously) I think he should just stay here forever

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M-Wolverine

July 4th, 2013 at 1:11 AM ^

But on the other side, if he goes there and shows he can do a good job as a head coach, he'd make a good candidate to replace Beilein down the road. If he stays on the staff that long it'd be a big question mark were he to take over then.

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blueheron

July 3rd, 2013 at 8:16 PM ^

OP says: "I always thought Stevens would be the successor at Duke after Coach K hangs it up."

Would anyone around here really want that? Stevens seems like a nice guy (in addition to his obvious talent). I'd much prefer that he not land with the Red Sox / Yankees (North Carolina being the other half of that pair) of college basketball. Let Duke hire some overrated Coach K flunky and have a few down years. It would be *good* for the rest of college basketball IMO.

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The Baughz

July 3rd, 2013 at 8:44 PM ^

Im a UNC fan so no I wouldnt want Stevens to go there, but Duke is a place that I thought could pry Stevens away from Butler. The Celtics or the NBA for that matter, was not what I or anyone else had in mind for his next coaching gig.

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bluesalt

July 4th, 2013 at 1:48 AM ^

I couldn't be more excited about this. I don't buy the "he's a college coach" line of thinking. You don't have the success he's had with the talent pool he's had at his age without really understanding basketball. The Celtics value organizational stability, and I expect he'll be given the chance to stay there for a very long time.

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