Joe Mazzulla praises Jerod Mayo, admits to stealing play designs from the Patriots

Joe Mazzulla praised new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, while explaining how he borrows strategies from football and soccer.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is always looking for a competitive edge. Whether it’s learning from opposing teams or finding inspiration from his favorite movie, the Rhode Islander knows he needs to cast a wide net to give his team the right strategies to compete for a coveted 18th championship this spring.

In fact, as Mazzulla explained Wednesday before Boston’s win over the San Antonio Spurs, some of his play designs come not from the hardwood but the gridiron. In lending his support to incoming New England Patriots head coach Jerrod Mayo, Mazzulla told reporters he sometimes borrows plays from other sports directly.

“He’s been around a long time, he’s coached there, played there, I don’t need to give him any advice,” Mazzulla said of Mayo. “He does have my support and I can’t wait to go over there and sit with him, and just learn from him.”