The Boston Celtics extended the contracts of president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and head coach Brad Stevens, the team announced Wednesday.
Terms of the deals were not released.
“Danny and Brad represent exactly what the Boston Celtics stand for: excellence on and off the court,” Wyc Grousbeck, co-owner and managing partner, said in a statement. “With their long-term deals in place, we are continuing to build towards competing for Banner 18. Our ownership group thanks them for their hard work and their re-commitment to the Celtics.”
Ainge just completed his 13th season as the Celtics’ president of basketball operations. The Celtics have posted a record of 565-484 (.539) during his tenure, making 10 trips to the postseason, three conference finals appearances and two trips to the NBA Finals, including winning the NBA championship in 2008.
Fellow NBA executives voted Ainge the Executive of the Year for the 2007-08 season.
“I am grateful to continue to work in an environment where I’m surrounded by so many people that are an integral part of our success,” Ainge said. “We have had great stability in this organization since the ownership group bought the Celtics. We know our strengths and weaknesses and as a group we work well together. (Owners) Wyc, Irv (Grousbeck), (and) Steve (Pagliuca), (team president) Rich (Gotham), Brad and I have a common goal in pursuing Banner 18 and I’m looking forward to this next chapter in Boston Celtics history.”
Stevens, who signed a six-year contract in July 2013, completed his third season in 2015-16, guiding the Celtics to a 48-34 record and clinching the team’s second consecutive playoff berth.
Stevens was named the franchise’s 17th head coach after a storied career as the head coach of Butler University. In his tenure at Butler, he led the Bulldogs to six trips to the NCAA Tournament, including two consecutive national championship games (2010 and 2011).
“My family and I were thrilled to have been approached with this contract extension,” Stevens said. “We sincerely appreciate the empowering leadership of our ownership and front office, the opportunity to work alongside such a talented staff, the support of our tremendous fans, and of course the commitment and hard work of the players wearing this jersey. It’s an honor to be a member of the Boston Celtics — and we’ll continue striving for growth in pursuit of Banner 18.”