When Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics was questioned several months back about potentially earning the Coach of the Year recognition this season, his response was brief and direct.
“I don’t need it,” he stated in March. “I think it’s a stupid award.”
On Tuesday evening, Mazzulla received that very award he had criticized.
The NBA named Mazzulla as its premier coach for the 2025-26 campaign, following the Celtics’ achievement of securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference. This accomplishment came despite spending much of the season without Jayson Tatum as he rehabilitated from Achilles surgery, and amid widespread expectations of a rebuilding year after losing key players including Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.
Mazzulla’s earlier criticism of the award stemmed from his belief that it should honor entire coaching staffs rather than individual coaches – a perspective he maintained during Tuesday’s announcement ceremony. He opened his NBC remarks by acknowledging those who contributed to his success.
“The long nights, the trips, game plans, the video guys that are clipping up the film and coding it, the assistants who are putting in the game plan, I think there’s so much that goes into winning one game,” Mazzulla explained. “It starts with the players, but it goes to our staff. I feel bad that they’re not here — but forever indebted to the guys that we have that give up time with their families and their time to give us a chance to win every day.”
At 37 years old, Mazzulla becomes the youngest recipient of this honor since Phil Johnson claimed it in 1975, according to the NBA.
The Boston coach will receive the Red Auerbach Trophy, named after the iconic Celtics leader. Mazzulla joins three other Boston coaches who have earned this distinction: Auerbach in 1965, Tom Heisohn in 1973, and Bill Fitch in 1980. The Hall of Fame coach Auerbach led the Celtics to nine NBA titles, including an unprecedented eight consecutive championships from 1959 through 1966.
“This is well deserved recognition and a testament to both Joe and his staff,” commented Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “With all of our unknowns entering the season, Joe did a fantastic job building and growing a team. He pours everything he has into competing at a high level, while helping players find the best versions of themselves within the framework of a team.”
Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff claimed second place for the second straight year, while San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson earned third position.
The recognition focuses exclusively on regular-season performance. A panel of 100 NBA reporters and broadcasters submitted their ballots during the play-in tournament over a month ago.
This Coach of the Year honor differs from the award presented earlier this spring by the National Basketball Coaches Association, which Bickerstaff received. Tuesday’s announcement marked the final major award ceremony for the 2025-26 season.
The complete award recipients include:
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City: Most Valuable Player and Clutch Player of the Year.
— Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio: Defensive Player of the Year.
— Cooper Flagg, Dallas: Rookie of the Year.
— Keldon Johnson, San Antonio: Sixth Man of the Year.
— Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta: Most Improved Player.
— Bam Adebayo, Miami: Social Justice Champion.
— Derrick White, Boston: Sportsmanship Award.
— DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans: Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year.
— Brad Stevens, Boston: Executive of the Year.
— Moussa Diabaté, Charlotte: Hustle Award.
— The All-NBA, All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams.
