Former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has reportedly agreed to become the next coach of the Houston Rockets. Udoka was suspended for nearly the entire 2022-23 season and then let go by Boston in September following an internal investigation into an inappropriate workplace relationship. Now, Udoka has another shot as a head coach in the NBA.
Though few details have been publicly disclosed about Udoka’s suspension, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Rockets were able to learn more about the situation, and that “there was nothing that they found to be disqualifying.” Boston has said very little about the investigation and has since promoted interim coach Joe Mazzulla to serve as the official head coach moving forward.
Mazzulla worked as an assistant with Udoka before taking over the reins in his absence. He was asked about Udoka’s hiring Tuesday night. Mazzulla explained he reached out to his former boss to say thank you.
“I texted him to say congratulations,” Mazzulla said. “And that I was grateful for the time that I had to learn from him as a coach.”
How former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka will change the Houston Rockets https://t.co/ofK8K81GnN
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 25, 2023