The Boston Celtics have hired Jeff Van Gundy as a senior consultant to their coaching staff.
Van Gundy had worked for ESPN as a broadcaster next to Mike Breen and Mark Jackson from 2007 to his departure earlier this year.
This news comes just 11 days before the Celtics take on the New York Knicks to kick off the 2023-24 season.
Jeff Van Gundy has taken a role as a senior consultant with the Celtics, per @BrianTRobb pic.twitter.com/n6m89feEa5
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 14, 2023
Boston Celtics Hire Former ESPN Broadcaster to Coaching Staff
Jeff Van Gundy’s Coaching Career
Prior to his role as a broadcaster for ESPN, Van Gundy was a long-time coach in the NBA.
From 1989-1996, Van Gundy was an assistant coach for the Knicks. Van Gundy took over for Don Nelson, who was fired after a 34-25 start during the 1995-96 season. In five full seasons as the head coach of the Knicks, Van Gundy made it to the playoffs each season. This includes a five-game loss to the San Antonio Spurs during the 1998-99 NBA Finals. As of 2023, the Knicks have yet to make another NBA Finals appearance.
Van Gundy was the NBA All-Star Game head coach for the Eastern Conference in 2000.
Before the 2003-04 season, Van Gundy became the head coach of the Houston Rockets. In his first year, Van Gundy and company lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games during the first round. This was the first time the Rockets made it to the playoffs since 1999.
During his time in Houston, Van Gundy most notably coached the duo of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. The Rockets made the playoffs in three of Van Gundy’s four seasons as the team’s head coach. However, they never made it past the first round.
In parts of 11 seasons, Van Gundy has a 430-318 record as a head coach.
Most recently, Van Gundy was the head coach of the senior United States men’s basketball national team at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup tournament. Additionally, Van Gundy was there for the qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China and the 2020 Olympics.
The Last Word on Jeff Van Gundy to the Celtics
Van Gundy is a great basketball mind and has been around the league for decades.
As a senior consultant, Van Gundy likely will not sit on the sidelines next to Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics’ assistant coaches. However, he will be with the team to provide input and expertise. This can prove to be crucial for Mazzulla, who is entering just his second season as the team’s head coach.
Only time will tell what type of impact Van Gundy will have with the team. However, this is a great move for the Celtics to hire a basketball expert like Van Gundy, especially since he has NBA Finals experience.
