The former coach had been away from the game for quite a while now, at least in terms of coaching, and with ESPN no longer interested in his services, he was looking at unemployment for the first time in years.
That’s when the Boston Celtics entered the picture and brought him in as a consultant.
Fast forward to today, and the Celtics are just one win away from winning an NBA championship, and coach Van Gundy couldn’t be more thankful to the organization.
Talking to Mark Jackson on his podcast, Van Gundy told the story about how the Celtics actually threw him a lifeline (via New York Basketball).
Jeff Van Gundy on being a Celtics consultant: "Brad Stevens & Joe Mazzulla threw me a lifeline…I have learned so much, I have been embraced…Joe, he's such a good coach & a great leader…assembled a group of coaches…great chemistry together…" pic.twitter.com/10IP1HJlFU
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 16, 2024
He revealed that he had just become an empty-nester with his younger son going to school, and how a series of passings in his family, combined with his newly-found unemployment, had him in an awkward place, not even knowing his purpose.
Then, even though he barely knew them, Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla trusted him and brought him right back to the league, and he was humbled and happy about the opportunity.
Van Gundy raved about the Celtics organization and the young coaches, stating that most of them are 40 years old or younger.
It’s crazy to see that we never know what people are going through behind closed doors, and it’s nice to see that, after all, Van Gundy was able to land on his feet.
