The Los Angeles Clippers are bolstering head coach Tyronn Lue's staff by adding a member of the championship-winning Boston Celtics.
Jeff Van Gundy, who worked as a senior consultant for the Boston Celtics during the 2023-24 NBA season, will join the Clippers' staff as the lead assistant.
The 62-year-old's strong relationship with Lue, whom he coached briefly as a player with the Houston Rockets in 2004, played a significant role in his hiring, as per league insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Van Gundy primarily worked as an analyst for ESPN from 2007 to 2023, where he announced marquee NBA games for the network, including the NBA Finals.
Before joining ESPN, Van Gundy had a long coaching career in the NBA. He served as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks from 1989 to 1996 and then took over as head coach from 1996 to 2001.
He also coached the Houston Rockets from 2003 to 2007 before transitioning to broadcasting.
Jeff Van Gundy admits that the Celtics gave him a lifeline
After his departure from ESPN in June 2023, Van Gundy had a challenging year and credited the Celtics for providing him with a sense of purpose.
"I got fired [from ESPN] on June 30, and then my youngest son went to school in August so we became empty nesters. Then my sister-in-law tragically passed away in the middle of August as well. Then, my best friend in Houston contracted cancer, and he died this spring," the coach said.
Van Gundy served as a scout for Team USA for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup between his departure from ESPN and his hiring by the Celtics in October.
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