“I accept the team’s decision” – NBA Coach Ime Udoka Posts Message After Being Suspended By the Boston Celtics

The Suspension

The Boston Celtics’ head coach, Ime Udoka, has been suspended for the upcoming 2022-23 season for violations of team policies, the team announced on Friday. According to ESPN, Udoka had an intimate relationship with a female member of the Celtics’ coaching staff. His future with the team will be announced later.

In its release, team says "a decision about [Udoka's] future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date."

In conversations with the team, there were no guarantees made to Udoka that he would be brought back after the suspension, a source told @SInow.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) September 23, 2022

According to reports, Udoka “had an inappropriate intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff.” While the reason for Udoka’s suspension has not been confirmed, he issued an apology in a statement.

Udoka’s Statement

“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision.”

(1) Malika Andrews on Twitter: “NEW: Statement from Celtics coach Ime Udoka https://t.co/MFutFx7c3l” / Twitter

The Replacement

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, assistant Joe Mazzulla will take over as interim head coach for the Celtics. Mazzulla began his career with the C’s as an assistant with the Maine Red Claws before taking over as head coach at a college. In 2019, he rejoined the organisation as a member of Brad Stevens’ staff.