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Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Year… Despite Himself

Joe Mazzulla named NBA Coach of the Year after a remarkable season with the Celtics, even though he had called the award "stupid" months earlier, preferring to credit his entire coaching staff rather than himself.
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Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Year… Despite Himself

Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla watches from the sideline as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Photo Credit : © David Butler II-Imagn Images

He said he didn’t need it — and won it anyway. Joe Mazzulla, head coach of the Celtics, was named NBA Coach of the Year on Tuesday evening, becoming the fourth person in franchise history to receive the trophy — known as the Red Auerbach Trophy — following Bill Fitch (1979-80), Tommy Heinsohn (1972-73), and Red Auerbach himself (1964-65).

The honor may seem paradoxical. Back in March, when asked about his chances of winning the award, Mazzulla said bluntly: « I don’t need it. I think it’s a stupid award. » In his view, real recognition should go to an entire staff, not a single individual.

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A Accomplished 2025-26 Season Despite the Obstacles

The numbers speak for themselves. Mazzulla guided Boston to a 56-26 record and second place in the Eastern Conference, despite the extended absence of Jayson Tatum, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. The Massachusetts franchise finished second in offensive efficiency, fourth in defensive efficiency, and fourth in point differential. This performance was all the more remarkable given that several key players — Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet — had left the club during an offseason marked by budget constraints.

Mazzulla received 62 first-place votes out of 100 and appeared on 96 of the 100 ballots — the highest totals among all candidates. At 37, he becomes the youngest recipient of this trophy since Phil Jackson in 1975. His overall record with Boston now stands at 238 wins and 90 losses over four seasons, the best winning percentage in the league during that span, capped by an NBA championship in 2024 against the Mavericks.

The season nonetheless ended in disappointment: eliminated in the first round by the 76ers in seven games, the Celtics failed to capitalize on their playoff potential. Tatum, who returned in March, had helped the team close the regular season on a 13-3 run, but missed Game 7 due to a knee issue.

A Whole Staff’s Achievement

True to form, Mazzulla refused to take personal credit during the ceremony. « The long nights, the travel, the game plans, the video coordinators breaking down and coding film, the assistants putting it all together… there are so many things that go into winning a single game. It starts with the players, but it goes all the way to the staff. I feel bad they’re not here, but I’m forever indebted to them, » he said on NBC.

Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations, paid tribute to his coach: « This is well-deserved recognition and a testament to Joe and his staff. With all the unknowns we faced at the start of the season, Joe did a fantastic job building and developing this team. »

J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons) finished second for the second consecutive year, while Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs) rounded out the top three. With Joe Mazzulla’s coronation as Coach of the Year, the NBA 2025-26 individual awards season is now officially closed.

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Nicolas Flamecourt
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Year… Despite Himself