Brad Stevens on Wednesday shot down the prospect that he’d leave the Boston Celtics for another coaching job in the college ranks.
On Thursday, Stevens’ boss took the opportunity to do the same.
“Brad’s not considering college,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in his weekly interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich.” “Brad is with the Celtics, and … it’s just talk. It’s just talk out there. When coaching jobs open up, of course there’s a lot of people that would love to have interest in Brad, but I’m not even sure that there’s been any contact. I think it’s just mostly talk.”
Given Stevens’ early success as an NBA coach after making the leap from Butler — the Celtics sit one half-game out of a playoff spot with seven games to play — it’s not surprising other colleges have come calling.
“I certainly understand it,” Ainge said. “It’s a compliment to Brad. He’s a well-known coach, a well-liked and respected coach around college and NBA circles, so I’m sure we’ll continue to hear that kind of stuff every year. But Brad’s with us, and that’s that.”
Ainge also gave his take on center Kelly Olynyk playing Wednesday night with a busted eye, saying “a hockey kid from Canada” like Olynyk wouldn’t let a little shiner hold him out. He isn’t a big fan of the young big man’s choice of facial hair, though.
“I would like him to shave whatever that is on his chin,” Ainge said. “He’s like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo.”
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
