Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has been suspended for the entire 2022-2023 season for “violations of team policies.”
Udoka reportedly had an affair with a female staff member on the team, according to reports on Wednesday.
Celtics suspend Ime Udoka for entire 2022-23 season for ‘violations of team policies’https://t.co/jTPBuYc60R
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 23, 2022
The statement
“The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violations of team policies. A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately,” the team said.
Udoka released a separate statement, saying, “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 23, 2022
The aftermath
“The season-long suspension is largely unprecedented for a sitting head coach in the NBA,” ESPN reported.
“The Celtics have made assistant coach Joe Mazzulla the interim head coach, sources told Wojnarowski,” it added. “Udoka’s top assistant coach, Will Hardy, left the team in June to become coach of the Utah Jazz.”
Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It’s been deemed a violation of franchise’s code of conduct.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2022
The unprecedented suspension has shocked people across the league as the Celtics prepare for a new season that saw them rebound from a slow start last year to nearly winning a championship.
ESPN Sources: Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is facing possible disciplinary action – including a significant suspension – for an unspecified violation of organizational guidelines. Discussions are ongoing within the Celtics on a final determination. pic.twitter.com/1QZb0k326F
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022
The suspension will also certainly lead to speculation regarding whether the coach will be back at all, a major shakeup as Boston looks to build on a strong previous season.