Boston Celtics: Could UNC HC job be attractive to Brad Stevens?

Another day, another college team looking to poach Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens from the NBA.

Not long after Stevens was linked to the Indiana Hoosiers head coaching job (one eventually filled by Mike Woodson) the North Carolina Tar Heels head coaching position is now one believed to be a potential escape plan for the former Butler HC.

Stevens’ struggling Cs is likely a reason why many see a potential jump back to the college ranks for the Zionsville, Indiana native, but as has been relayed before, there are too many NBA jobs he’d consider first before returning to the NCAA.

That didn’t stop Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal (and formerly of the Boston Globe and SI) from linking Stevens to the UNC position that has opened up from the retirement of long-time head coach Roy Williams:

Bedard sees the UNC one as one Stevens (or anyone else) shouldn’t write off. While Chapel Hill has long been one of the hotspots of college basketball, the allure of collegiate hoops is not what it once was.

The NCAA’s new transfer portal rules require almost constant attention to not only new recruits but also to the players currently on the team for head coaches. Now, players can transfer to a new school without having to sit out a year.

Stevens isn’t likely to want to deal with that, especially when NBA franchises will likely be lining up for him if he ever decided to leave the Cs…or if his departure was involuntary.

The Boston Celtics have lost two straight and are two games under .500. Winning would squash these rumors real quick, but for now, expect to see Stevens linked to any Power 5 HC opening.

Just don’t expect him to take any offers to return to the collegiate ranks.