Joe Mazzulla is not a household name in the NBA, but he should be.
The 35-year-old coach has led the Boston Celtics to the best record in the league, earning him a spot as the head coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
But who is Joe Mazzulla, and how did he become one of the most successful coaches in the NBA?
Joe Mazzulla’s Parents and Early Life
Joe Mazzulla was born on June 30, 1988, in Johnston, Rhode Island.
He is the son of Dan and Latresa Mazzulla, who are both educators.
His father is a retired principal and his mother is a teacher
Mazzulla grew up playing basketball and was a star at Bishop Hendricken High School, where he won three state titles.
He was also named to the all-state first-team
Joe Mazzulla’s College Career and Injury
Mazzulla attended West Virginia University, where he played under coaches John Beilein and Bob Huggins.
He helped the team win the 2007 National Invitation Tournament as a freshman and reached the 2010 Final Four as a redshirt junior.
He was known for his leadership, defense, and playmaking skills
However, Mazzulla’s college career was not without challenges.
He suffered a shoulder injury in his sophomore year that required surgery and forced him to redshirt.
He also faced legal troubles in 2009 when he was arrested for domestic battery at a bar and suspended by Huggins.
Joe later apologized and resolved the case
Joe Mazzulla’s Wife and Children
Mazzulla married his college sweetheart, Kristen Dalton, in 2012.
Dalton is a former Miss USA who competed in the Miss Universe pageant in 2009.
She is also an actress and model who has appeared in several films and TV shows
The couple has three children: Joseph Jr., born in 2013, Jameson, born in 2015, and Jolie, born in 2018.
The family lives in Boston, Massachusetts3
Joe Mazzulla’s Instagram and Social Media Presence
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Mazzulla is not very active on social media, but he does have an Instagram account with over 1k followers.
His username is @joemazzulla and his bio reads “Head Coach of the Boston Celtics”.
He mostly posts photos of his family, his team, and his coaching mentors.
He also occasionally shares motivational quotes and messages.
Joe Mazzulla’s NBA Career and Achievements
Mazzulla went undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft and decided to pursue a coaching career instead of playing overseas.
He started as an assistant at Glenville State and then moved to Fairmont State, where he became the head coach in 2017.
He led the team to a 22-9 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament in his second season1
In 2019, he joined the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach under Brad Stevens.
He impressed Stevens with his basketball IQ, work ethic, and communication skills.
He was promoted to interim head coach in September 2022 after Stevens was fired and Ime Udoka was suspended for violating the NBA’s health and safety protocols4
Mazzulla proved to be a natural leader and a brilliant tactician.
He improved the Celtics’ defense, offense, and chemistry.
Mazzulla also developed a strong rapport with the players, especially stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
He led the Celtics to a 66-16 record in the regular season, clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
He also became the youngest coach to win the Coach of the Year award and to coach in the All-Star Game
Joe Mazzulla’s Salary and Net Worth
Mazzulla signed a four-year contract extension with the Celtics in April 2023, worth $24 million.
His annual salary is $6 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.
His net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, according to various sources.
Joe Mazzulla’s Royal Connection
Mazzulla has an interesting connection to royalty.
His wife, Kristen Dalton, is a distant cousin of Catherine Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William.
Dalton’s grandmother is related to Middleton’s great-grandmother through their common ancestor Sir Thomas Fairfax, a 17th-century English nobleman.
Dalton and Middleton have never met, but they share some physical resemblance and a love for fashion.
Joe Mazzulla’s Age and Future Plans
Mazzulla is 35 years old, making him the youngest head coach in the NBA.
He has a bright future ahead of him, as he aims to lead the Celtics to their 18th championship and establish himself as one of the best coaches in the league.
He is also passionate about giving back to the community and supporting various causes, such as education, health, and social justice.
Conclusion
Joe Mazzulla is a remarkable coach and a fascinating person.
He has overcome adversity, injury, and criticism to reach the pinnacle of his profession.
He has a beautiful family, a loyal fan base, and a royal connection.
Joe is a basketball genius who is making history with the Boston Celtics. He is Joe Mazzulla, and he is here to stay.
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