By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Joe Mazzulla officially claimed the Red Auerbach Trophy as the 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year on Tuesday, securing the honor through a vote from a global media panel. The 37-year-old Boston Celtics head coach topped the ballot with 392 total points and 62 first-place votes to edge out Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff and San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson. In doing so, Mazzulla becomes the youngest strategist to win the award since Phil Johnson in 1975, and the first Celtics leader to capture it since Bill Fitch in 1980.
The prestigious accolade rewards a remarkable Regular Season in which Mazzulla guided Boston to a 56–26 record and the second seed in the Eastern Conference. After weathering a turbulent start, the C’s completely refocused to mount a spectacular run. The remainder of the global voting showcased a diverse field, with Charles Lee, Jordan Ott, and Mark Daigneault trailing the top three, alongside single-point ballots for three more tactical minds, including Serbian play-caller Darko Rajakovic.
Following the announcement, the Celtics issued a statement in which Mazzulla expressed his thanks but felt it should be a shared award. “Thank you to the Lord for the platform he has given me, and to my wife and family who support me on this journey,” he said. “Thank you to our players who compete and give it everything they have each night. I am grateful for every member of the Celtics organization whose dedication impacts winning every day. This award belongs to our staff, who are there for the guys every day. Their relentless work ethic improves our team daily. This award should be named Staff of the Year.”
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens praised his head coach and staff following the announcement. “This is well deserved recognition and a testament to both Joe and his staff,” he said. “With all of our unknowns entering the season, Joe did a fantastic job building and growing a team. He pours everything he has into competing at a high level, while helping players find the best versions of themselves within the framework of a team. On top of all of that, Joe leads with an authentic care for the Celtics and everyone he works with – players, coaches, and staff.”
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