Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla Calls Coach of the Year Award 'Stupid'

Mazzulla says the honor should not exist, as it's more about the players and staff's work.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping scenes of a basketball game or coaching staff, using bold colors and angular shapes to capture the dynamic energy of the sport.Mazzulla's dismissal of the Coach of the Year award sparks debate over the merits of individual honors in team sports.Boston Today

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has publicly criticized the NBA's Coach of the Year award, calling it a 'stupid award' that 'shouldn't exist.' Mazzulla believes the award is more about the players and staff's work rather than the coach's individual contributions. Despite leading the Celtics to a playoff berth and the No. 2 seed in the East despite Jayson Tatum's absence, Mazzulla has expressed no interest in being considered for the honor.

Why it matters

The Coach of the Year award is one of the NBA's top individual honors, recognizing the league's best head coach. Mazzulla's strong criticism of the award is an unusual stance, as most coaches would consider it a prestigious accolade. His comments raise questions about the value and purpose of the award, and whether it truly captures a coach's impact on a team's success.

The details

In a recent interview, Mazzulla was asked about the possibility of receiving the Coach of the Year award. He responded bluntly, stating 'I think it's a stupid award. They shouldn't have it. It's more about the players and the work the staff puts in. ... I really don't want to be asked or talk about it again.' Mazzulla believes the award should not exist, as he feels it does not properly recognize the collective effort of the players and coaching staff.

  • Mazzulla made the comments in a March 2026 interview.

The players

Joe Mazzulla

The current head coach of the Boston Celtics, who has led the team to a playoff berth and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference despite key injuries.

Jayson Tatum

The star player for the Boston Celtics, who missed much of the regular season due to injury.

J.B. Bickerstaff

The head coach of the Detroit Pistons, who is considered the frontrunner for the NBA Coach of the Year award after leading the Pistons to the top of the Eastern Conference.

Mitch Johnson

The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, who has guided the team near the top of the Western Conference and is a contender for Coach of the Year.

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, who is also a contender for the NBA Coach of the Year award.

Jordan Ott

The head coach of the Phoenix Suns, who is a contender for the NBA Coach of the Year award.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's a stupid award. They shouldn't have it. It's more about the players and the work the staff puts in. ... I really don't want to be asked or talk about it again.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics

What’s next

The NBA will announce the Coach of the Year award winner in the coming weeks, despite Mazzulla's criticism of the honor.

The takeaway

Mazzulla's strong rebuke of the Coach of the Year award highlights the ongoing debate about the value and purpose of individual accolades in team sports. His comments suggest the award may not accurately capture a coach's true impact, and that the collective efforts of players and staff are more important than singling out one individual.