Brad Stevens Hired as Head Coach of the Boston Celtics [UPDATE: 6-years, $22 Million]

Brad Stevens is the new head coach of the Boston Celtics. Wow. Days after Doc Rivers left for Los Angeles (and had a public spat with Boston’s biggest fan), the Celtics have landed one of the hottest basketball coaching commodities of the last … forever. Stevens, who took the Butler Bulldogs to back-to-back Final Fours in 2010 and 2011, won 166 games in six seasons at Butler. Stevens and Butler released this statement on the school’s website:

“Our family is thrilled for the opportunity given to us by the leadership of the Boston Celtics, but it is emotional to leave a place that we have called home for the past 13 years,” said Stevens.

“We truly love Butler University and Indianapolis, and are very thankful to have had the opportunity to celebrate so many wonderful things together. What makes Butler truly unique is the people that we have been so blessed to work with. When it comes time for our kids to look at schools, we will start with Butler University.” Stevens and his wife, Tracy, have a young son and daughter.

The Celtics also released a statement. Here’s Danny Ainge:

“Brad and I share a lot of the same values,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “Though he is young, I see Brad as a great leader who leads with impeccable character and a strong work ethic. His teams always play hard and execute on both ends of the court. Brad is a coach who has already enjoyed lots of success, and I look forward to working with him towards Banner 18.”

In March, Stevens turned down the UCLA job after contract negotiations. Stevens and his wife will be introduced to the Boston media on Friday morning.

[ButlerSports.com]