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Celtics’ Brad Stevens addresses ‘tiresome’ college basketball rumors
Stevens said he's flattered by interest from college programs, but is not planning to leave the Celtics.
Before the University of North Carolina hired Mike Malone, there were reports that Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was among a shortlist of possible candidates for the opening.
Stevens quickly removed his name from consideration. It’s been 13 years since Stevens coached college basketball at Butler, but the impression he left along with his continued success at the pro level means his name has been mentioned when several big opportunities have come up over the years.
On Tuesday, Stevens told reporters that he has no plans to leave the Celtics.
“I’m on the phone with a lot of those people through the year and those involved with the decision-making processes,” Stevens said. “It’s always flattering when you’re hearing that, but the whole idea of the coaching carousel being news is a bit tiresome, but I get why in this day and age people want to talk about it.
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“As you know from being around me, I’m not quick to make decisions where I’m all over the place. I like being here. They’ve been great to me, and I haven’t been seeking anything else.”
Stevens has been with the Celtics since he left Butler in 2013, first as head coach before transitioning to his executive role following Danny Ainge’s departure.
Stevens is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s top executives and won the NBA Executive of the Year award in 2024. The Celtics, who are currently second in the Eastern Conference, are weeks aways from embarking on another playoff run.
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UNC wasn’t the only organization that aspired to pry Stevens away from the Celtics.
The NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, whom the Celtics beat in the 2024 Finals, reportedly had Stevens on their “wish list” for their general manager opening after they fired Nico Harrison.
Stevens said he hasn’t been motivated to do anything other than what he’s been doing: putting a competitive product on the floor for the Celtics.
Still, with the amount of money flowing through the highest levels of college basketball, it’s not unheard of to see professionals heading back to the college ranks.
Before UNC brought on Malone — who won a title with the Denver Nuggets — to coach the men’s basketball team, the school hired six-time Super Bowl championship coach Bill Belichick to lead its football program.
Unlike Stevens, Malone and Belichick had both been let by the franchises where they won titles.
The Celtics are still in the midst of competing for championships. They managed to stay in the hunt after revamping the roster this summer.
The job is not finished this season, and neither is Brad Stevens’s time in Boston.
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