Houston Rockets ‘to schedule head coaching interviews with ex-Celtics coach Ime Udoka, as well as Frank Vogel and others’ amid job posting
- Ime Udoka was suspended by the Celtics after an affair with a colleague
- Udoka is one of several candidates associated with the vacant Rockets job
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The Houston Rockets’ search for its next head coach continues and features a host of candidates, including ex-Celtics head coach Ime Udoka.
Houston opted not to take up coach Stephen Silas’ fourth-year option after posting the second-worst record (22–60) in the NBA.
Now, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, Udoka, Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, ex-Lakers coach Frank Vogel, ex-Hornets coach James Borrego, Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin are set to be interviewed.
Raptors coach Nick Nurse should be a “top target” for the H-Town franchise if he left Toronto.
Ime Udoka was suspended by the Celtics for an affair with a colleague before being replaced
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that head coach interviews are imminent for Houston
The Rockets job is now vacant after the franchise declined Stephen Silas’ fourth-year option
Udoka, who is also reportedly a candidate for the Pistons job, led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first season as head coach. Then in September on the eve of the NBA season, news broke of an affair with a Celtics colleague.
ESPN reported that an independent investigation found that Udoka “used foul language in his dialogue with a female subordinate prior to beginning an inappropriate working relationship.
She served as a team liaison, arranging travel, lodging, and game tickets for Celtics family members at home and on the road. It’s likely she even arranged a trip for Long.
Udoka issued his own statement after his suspension in September: “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization and my family for letting them down.”
Joe Mazzulla was named Boston’s interim coach following Udoka’s suspension for violating organizational policies.
In February, Mazzulla was given the role full-time after leading the C’s to a 42–17 record. Boston finished the season ranked No. 2 in the East at 57-25.
Due to Ime Udoka’s affair, he ended his relationship with actress Nia Long, with whom he has a son