Brad Stevens Not Leaving the Boston Celtics for Indiana Hoosiers

Brad Stevens says he’s flattered by being linked to the head coaching vacancy at Indiana University but at the same time, he says he’s “extremely grateful” to be the coach of the Boston Celtics.

The Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller and Stevens’ name was the first name on top of mind for the most prestigious head coaching job in the state of Indiana.

Stevens was born and raised in Zionsville, Indiana which is northeast of Indianapolis and just an hour away from where the University of Indiana is located. He played college basketball in DePauw in Greencastle, Indiana, and made his mark in coaching by leading Indiana’s Butler University to back-to-back NCAA Championship game appearances in 2010 and 2011 before leaving for Boston in 2013.

Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, Stevens says thanks, but no thanks.

Brad Stevens says he has no interest in going back to college to coach Indiana with @ZoandBertrand pic.twitter.com/3JrPzd3VsY

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 16, 2021

One of the Best Coaches in the NBA

Stevens is considered one of the best coaching minds in the NBA today. The 44-year old was a high-paying pharmaceutical exec after playing Division III basketball but quit his job in 2000 to volunteer as one of the coaches in Butler University, for free. He would rise from the ranks to become head coach of the school. In five seasons at the helm, Stevens led them to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances including back-to-back title games in 2010 and 2011.

From quitting his high-paying pharmaceutical job to volunteering for free as an assistant at Butler, Brad Stevens made sacrifices to chase his passion. Now, he is one of the best coaches in the NBA. (Video via @bycylce) pic.twitter.com/rKhPGdZRBN

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 10, 2018

In 2013, the Boston Celtics made him their head coach. After a 25-57 record in his first season as Celtics head coach, Stevens has led the Celtics to the postseason in the previous six campaigns. Although he has never steered the team to the finals, Boston has made three Conference Finals appearances in the last four seasons despite injuries and player movements affecting his continuity.

Last season, Stevens successfully led the Celtics to a 48-24 record (.667) despite the team losing Kyrie Irving to the Brooklyn Nets. Stevens is also credited for developing current Celtics superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from lottery picks to All-Star players.

Celtics’ Struggles

Last Tuesday, the Celtics went back and forth with the league’s best team in the Utah Jazz before eventually falling 117-109. The loss dropped the Celtics to a 20-19 record which is their worst start in the Brad Stevens era. That record is good for only 6th place in the Eastern Conference team standings and Boston is currently 7.5 games behind the East leaders Philadelphia 76ers.

We and the Jazz went back and forth throughout Tuesday night, but they pulled away during the final minutes to finish with a 117-109 victory. pic.twitter.com/Ca40MutCPV

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 17, 2021

Despite their current woes, the Celtics remain as one of the betting favorites to win the East in the best NBA betting sites. BetOnline currently has Boston 4th in their Eastern Conference Oddsboard at +1400. The bookmaker also has the Celtics with the 7th best odds to win the NBA title at +2800.

The rumor linking Stevens to Indiana was predicated by the Celtics’ struggles. But Stevens isn’t giving up on Boston just yet. The Celtics have the 10th easiest strength of the remaining schedule according to Tankathon.com and entering Wednesday’s games, they have won six out of their last eight games played. Boston has just gotten Marcus Smart back from injury and with the Celtics almost at full strength now, the outlook is good.