Jeff Van Gundy recently appeared on the 'Mark Jackson' show and opened up about his transition to a new role as a senior consultant with the Boston Celtics after being let go by ESPN just before the start of the season. Van Gundy shared how the Celtics provided him with a crucial lifeline during a challenging period in his life.
"Yeah, I appreciate the question. You know, I got fired on June 30th, and then my youngest, Grayson, went to school in August. So we became empty nesters. Then my sister in law tragically passed away in the middle of August as well. And my best friend in Houston contracted cancer and subsequently died this spring."
"And so for me, when I went to work for the Celtics after the World Cup last fall, I only knew Brad Stevens a little bit. I was really in an awkward place in life, not really knowing where I was going or what my purpose was or how I was going to be with this new group of people where I didn't know anyone and quite frankly it's been one of the most rejuvenating things I've ever gone through."
"Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla threw me a lifeline and everybody on that coaching staff has welcomed me with open arms. It's a very young coaching staff. Sam Cassell is, I think, the oldest. There's no one else other than Sam that's over 40 years old. I have learned so much."
"I have been embraced and welcomed in. And the whole organization, from ownership to Bradstaff to the coaching staff, has just been remarkable. And I think your dad would agree with this, is that you can never have better team chemistry than you have coaching staff chemistry."
"One of the things that Joe, he's such a good coach and a great leader, but what he's done so very well is assemble a group of coaches that care about the results more than the credit. They have great chemistry together. And these staffs have exploded in size, so that's an even bigger challenge now than it's ever been."
"And I admire how he coaches his team, but also coaches his coaching staff and allows them both a voice and a runway to express what they feel, and then everyone falls into line behind what Joe decides is best for the group."
"After this summer, I was not in a great place and I'll always and forever be appreciative of what the Celtics, Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla, and that coaching staff has done for me."
After being fired from ESPN on June 30th, Van Gundy faced several personal hardships. His youngest child, Grayson, went off to school in August, making him and his wife empty nesters. Tragedy struck in the middle of August with the passing of his sister-in-law, and his best friend in Houston contracted cancer and subsequently passed away in the spring. These events left Van Gundy feeling lost and unsure about his future.
Van Gundy began working with the Celtics after the World Cup last fall. He admitted that he knew the Celtics' President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens only slightly and felt out of place initially. However, the experience turned out to be incredibly rejuvenating. Stevens and head coach Joe Mazzulla welcomed him warmly, providing him with a much-needed sense of purpose.
The Celtics' coaching staff, notably young and dynamic, embraced Van Gundy with open arms. He praised their chemistry and the leadership of Mazzulla, who assembled a team of coaches focused on collective success rather than individual credit. Van Gundy highlighted how Mazzulla effectively managed a large coaching staff, fostering an environment where everyone's voice was heard and respected.
Van Gundy expressed immense gratitude towards the Celtics organization, stating that the support he received from Stevens, Mazzulla, and the entire coaching staff was remarkable. This new role helped him navigate a difficult phase in his life, offering him a sense of belonging and rejuvenation.
Previously, Van Gundy was a prominent commentator alongside Mark Jackson and Mike Breen at ESPN, calling the NBA Finals 15 times. Now, with the Celtics on the verge of winning the NBA Championship, holding a 3-1 lead against the Dallas Mavericks ahead of Game 5, Van Gundy finds himself potentially part of a championship-winning team for the first time in his career.
His journey with the Celtics has not only been professionally rewarding but also personally transformative, marking a new and fulfilling chapter in his life.
