Celtics Coach Ime Udoka Suspended For 'Unwanted Comments' Toward Female Staffer

The Boston Celtics have suspended head coach Ime Udoka for making “unwanted comments” to a female staffer after they had an affair, reports said.

Ime Udoka talks about his first day as the Celtics 18th head coach. He shares what about this job stood out to him and how his past experiences as a coach and player will help him.

Photo Credit: Boston Celtics

Josh Lanier

09/23/2022 10:26 a.m.

The team announced late Thursday, Sept. 22, that Udoka would sit out the remainder of the 2022-23 season after they said he violated the team’s policies, ESPN said.

Team leaders held a closed-door meeting after news broke that Udoka, a married man, had a consensual relationship with a female staffer, the worldwide leader said. It's unclear when the relationship began and ended, but the woman reportedly told the team earlier this month that he made "unwanted comments" to her, the Athletic reported.

“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” the second-year head coach said in a statement on Thursday night, per ESPN. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision.”

He said he would have no further comment on the matter. Celtics assistant coach Joe Maazzulla will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, ESPN said.

The Celtics will hold an 11 a.m. press conference on Friday to discuss the team's future.

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