Brad Stevens Leaving Butler for the Celtics

http://www.butlersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/2013-14/releases/20130703gp8h85

“Our family is thrilled for the opportunity given to us by the leadership of the Boston Celtics, but it is emotional to leave a place that we have called home for the past 13 years,” said Stevens.

“We truly love Butler University and Indianapolis, and are very thankful to have had the opportunity to celebrate so many wonderful things together. What makes Butler truly unique is the people that we have been so blessed to work with. When it comes time for our kids to look at schools, we will start with Butler University.” Stevens and his wife, Tracy, have a young son and daughter.

In his six seasons as Butler’s head men’s basketball coach, Stevens compiled a record of success unmatched in NCAA annals. The 36-year-old Butler coach has led the Bulldogs to a 166-49 record, including a 12-5 record in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Four conference regular season championships, three league tournament titles, and six trips to postseason tournament play. His 166 wins is the most for any NCAA Division I basketball coach over the first six years to start a career.

Stevens owns the top two single season win totals in Butler and Horizon League history, and he’s the only coach in school and league history to lead a team to back-to-back NCAA Division I national championship games in 2010 and 2011.

In 2009-2010, Stevens engineered the most remarkable season in Butler basketball history. The Bulldogs posted a 33-5 overall record, the Horizon League’s first 18-0 conference mark and fourth overall unbeaten record, a fourth consecutive league regular season championship, a second conference tourney crown. The Bulldogs were nationally-ranked for the fourth straight year, compiled a school-record 25-game win streak, which was the longest in the nation. Stevens was named NABC All-District 12 Coach, and he was a finalist for several additional national coaching awards. Butler ended the season as the No. 2-ranked team in the final ESPN/USA Today national poll.

“In keeping with The Butler Way, Brad has given his talent to our University with exceptional generosity, integrity, and humility,” said President James M. Danko. “His record as the winningest coach in NCAA history during his first six years as head coach, his leadership of Butler’s dual Final Four runs, and his work ethic have made him a beloved member of our community.”

Danko added, “We have done everything we can to keep Brad here at Butler; however, the Celtics team has offered Brad and his family a unique opportunity with which no university can compete.”

Butler has begun the process of hiring a new head coach to lead the men’s basketball team in its inaugural year of BIG EAST Conference competition.

“Brad is leaving a great legacy and an excellent foundation for us to build on” said Vice President and Athletic Director Barry Collier. “Our athletics program has an extremely bright future, and we are confident that Butler’s first year in the BIG EAST will be an outstanding one.”

You Might Also Like

New study suggests brain changes in football players who are subject to head impacts

Merrimack removes lacrosse player for racist remark

SDHSAA amendment to clarify NIL rules for student-athletes