- Jeff Van Gundy built a second career as a broadcaster after coaching
- But he is now back working for an NBA team after a long stint at ESPN
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The Boston Celtics hired former head coach and ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy as a senior consultant in their basketball operations group.
Van Gundy, 61, was fired by ESPN in late June due to cost-cutting measures after 16 years with the network.
He coached eleven seasons in the NBA, going 430-318 with the New York Knicks (1995-2002) and Houston Rockets (2003-2007).
His teams went 44-44 in the playoffs and he led the Knicks to the Eastern Conference championship in 1999.
That year, the San Antonio Spurs defeated New York in five games to win the NBA title.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla called the hire “great.”
Jeff Van Gundy is back working for an NBA team after 16 years at ESPN
ESPN analysts Mark Jackson (left), Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen pose for a photo before Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals
“Anytime you add high character, high level professional people, I think it’s a no-brainer and so fortunate enough to have him here, not just for the coaching staff, but for everyone,” Mazzulla previously told reporters. practice on Saturday.
Van Gundy will split his time between Boston and Maine, home of the Celtics’ G League club, MassLive reports.
After being fired by ESPN, Van Gundy was reported in July to be “actively exploring a return to coaching,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.
According to Mannix, Van Gundy discussed roles with the Mavericks and Celtics, while there was also “mutual interest” between him and the Wizards.
The Celtics open their season on October 25 at the Knicks.
