Brad Stevens exits Butler for Boston

[pwaldo]

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/...ics-head-coach

The Boston Celtics have hired Butler's Brad Stevens as head coach.

The team and the university made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. He will be introduced at a news conference on Friday morning.

Stevens has spent the past six years as the head coach of Butler, twice leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA championship game.

Stevens replaces Doc Rivers, who was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers.

"Brad and I share a lot of the same values," Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. "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 toward Banner 18."

Stevens, who led Butler to two consecutive appearances in the NCAA championship game, had extended his contract with the Bulldogs through 2021-22.

"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," Stevens said.

[Kadamscards]

I was kind of shocked when I heard this. Stevens looks like a kid. Will he be able to garner the respect of Rondo? and the others??

I feel like he has a better chance than Pitino did because his ego is not super-inflated or else it doesn't seem to be...

[bdoody42]

If he can get respect from Rondo everyone else will follow. I'm excited to see what Stevens can do.