The Boston Celtics announced a multi-year contract extension with Joe Mazzulla on Friday.
That news comes about a month after the team's president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, voiced, "We certainly want Joe to be around here for a long time" when asked about locking up Boston's bench boss long-term.
“This is truly a blessing,” said Mazzulla in the Celtics' press release announcing the news. “I would not be here without my faith, my wife, and my children. We are thankful for the partnership with our ownership groups, Brad’s mentorship, and the support of our staff. Most importantly, I am grateful for the players I have been able to coach the past three seasons. I look forward to competing for the Celtics and the city of Boston.”
What this move provides is a needed layer of organizational stability. For instance, allowing a head coach to enter a season in a lame-duck year, meaning they're on an expiring contract, sends a far different signal to the locker room.
The move can also provide Mazzulla with peace of mind. That serenity can help bring out the best in him and thus in his team.
Reaching this extension before what projects as a gap year, while Jayson Tatum rehabs a torn Achilles, and the franchise sheds payroll for needed flexibility, removes an unnecessary element from the equation.
The duality of Joe Mazzulla
Boston's bench boss is one of the best head coaches in the NBA. He has earned Eastern Conference Coach of the Month four times. The Johnston, Rhode Island, native has amassed a 182-64 regular-season record. He has gone 33-17 in the playoffs.
In 2023-24, when the Celtics captured Banner 18, Mazzulla became the youngest head coach of an NBA champion since Bill Russell did it as a player-coach at age 35 in 1968-69.
✅ 2024 NBA Champion
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2025
✅ Youngest coach to win The Finals since Bill Russell
✅ Four-time Eastern Conference Coach of the Month
✅ 215-81 overall record (.726)
✅ Averaging over 60 wins a season
Joe Cool is here to stay 😎 pic.twitter.com/sSN9UegAkF
His experiences and accomplishments are significant. What's even more exciting about what the future might hold for Mazzulla and the franchise is that the 37-year-old has only held this role for a few years. That signals how much of a runway there is for continued growth.
"Joe is a gifted leader who brings a consistent commitment to learning, improving, and maximizing each day we get to compete for the Boston Celtics," stated Stevens in the team's press release about Mazzulla's extension.
“He understands the job and has a passion for the Celtics that is only rivaled by our most die-hard fans. He’s worked hard and accomplished amazing things in his first three years as a head coach – including averaging over 60 wins per season and winning the 2024 NBA Championship."