BOSTON – Brad Stevens came to Boston in 2013 with a near-impeccable reputation as a college coach at Butler.
Some things remain the same, which is why Stevens’ name will continue to be thrown out as a possibility for every major college head coaching job that becomes available – and, in the case of Indiana University, which has a coach in Tom Crean, some that aren’t available, too.
Still, let’s just say Danny Ainge, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, doesn’t sound overly concerned about losing his coach anytime soon.
“Brad’s not considering college,” Ainge said on his weekly call-in to 98.5 the Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich show. “Brad is with the Celtics. It's just talk; it’s just talk out there. When coaching jobs open up, of course there’s a lot of people that would have interest in Brad.”
Stevens came to Boston after six seasons (2007-2013) as coach of the Butler Bulldogs. He was 166-49 (.772 winning percentage), which included a pair of national championship runner-up finishes in 2010 to Duke and in 2011 to UConn.
To hear Stevens’ name thrown about as someone college programs have interest in, doesn’t seem to bother Ainge.
“I certainly understand it,” Ainge said. “It’s a compliment to Brad, that he’s a well-known coach, well-liked and respected coach around college and NBA circles. I’m sure we’ll continue to hear that kind of stuff every year. But Brad’s with us and that’s that.”
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