Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has been named the 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year, marking a historic achievement for the franchise. Mazzulla is the first Celtics coach to earn this honor in 46 years, following in the footsteps of Bill Fitch, who won the award during the 1979-80 season.
Voting Results
Mazzulla secured 62 first-place votes, comfortably ahead of Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who received 29 first-place votes, and San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, who finished third.
Season Challenges
During the recently concluded season, Mazzulla orchestrated a significant roster overhaul after the departures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford, compounded by the loss of Jayson Tatum due to a prolonged rehabilitation from an Achilles injury. Despite these challenges, the Celtics finished as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 56-26 record.
At 37 years old, Mazzulla is one of the youngest coaches to ever win the NBA Coach of the Year award.
