Brad Stevens

Brad Stevens (born October 22, 1976)

Teams coached: Butler Bulldogs, Boston Celtics
Butler record: 166-49 (.772)
Overall record^: 166-49 (.772)

Career Accomplishments:

Awards:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

2013-2021 Boston Celtics
2007-2013 Butler
2001-2007 Butler (asst)

Brad Stevens Facts

  • Bradley Kent Stevens
  • Born October 22, 1976
  • Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana
  • Alma Mater: DePauw University (BA, 1999)
  • Grew up in basketball-crazed Indiana, more specifically in Zionsville, where he attended Zionsville Community HS
    • Was an Indiana Hoosiers‘ fan and wore #31 in honor of Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller
  • Played four years at D-III DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he graduated on the Dean’s List in 1999
  • Got at job at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis out of college, but quit in 2000 to join the Butler basketball office as a volunteer
    • Upgraded to the (paid) coordinator of basketball operations for the 2000-01 season under then head coach Thad Matta
    • After Todd Lickliter took over the Butler program in 2001, Stevens became a full-time assistant
  • Remained an assistant until 2007, when he was chosen to take over as head coach following Lickliter‘s departure for Iowa
    • Maintained the program’s momentum, leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in his each of his first two seasons
    • It was the 2009-10 season, Stevens’ third, that propelled the Butler program to the top of the college basketball world; the Bulldogs finished the season at 18-0 in conference play and made a furious run to the NCAA Final Four and a date with Duke in the National Title game
      • The Bulldogs lost that game 61-59, though nearly won it on a half court heave from star player Gordon Hayward
      • Stevens’ coaching reputation was skyrocketing, but only grew when the 8-seed Bulldogs made a surprise run back to the National Championship game; this time losing to UConn 53-41
    • Was the second youngest coach to reach the National Championship game and is the youngest to reach two Final Fours
      • Holds the NCAA record for most wins in a head coach’s first three years
  • In July 2013, Stevens shocked the college basketball world by accepting the head coach position with the Boston Celtics
    • Stevens has lead the Celtics to the NBA Playoffs in six of seven seasons as head coach; received a contract extension in June of 2016
    • Reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017 and 2018, losing to LeBron James and the Cavaliers both seasons
    • Went 354-282 in eight years (plus 38-40 in the Playoffs) as Celtics’ head coach, reaching the postseason in all but his first season at the helm
  • Stepped down in June 2021 to become the Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations, replacing the retiring Danny Ainge
    • The Celtics won their division in each of Stevens’ first two seasons in charge, reaching the NBA Finals in 2022 and the ECF in 2023

Brad Stevens Coaching Tree

 

^ overall record includes head coaching positions at the NCAA Division I level only