The law firm conducting Ime Udoka’s investigation found the Celtics head coach used crude language while speaking to the female subordinate he later started an improper workplace relationship with, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Celtics announced on Sept. 22 that Udoka was suspended for the season after news broke of him having a consensual but improper relationship with a female staffer. An investigation was completed early last week and the findings described Udoka’s language as concerning coming from a workplace superior.
Udoka became Boston’s head coach last season and led the Celtics to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Warriors in six games.
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said Monday the suspension was a product of multiple violations of team policy.
Here’s what to know about Ime Udoka’s season-long suspension:
Grousbeck said Udoka would be receiving a salary cut for the suspended year. The Celtics owner added no one else in the organization received any discipline as a result of the investigation.
The Celtics won’t stand in Udoka’s way of becoming a head coach somewhere else, and there are teams who have tried to get a full understanding of the situation before properly showing interest.
Grousbeck and Celtics President Brad Stevens, however, would not give details on what Udoka would need to do to return as Boston’s coach following his suspension.
“This felt right, but [there are] no clear guidelines for any of this,” Grousbeck said. “It’s conscience and gut feel. We collectively came to this and got there but it was not clear what to do but it was clear something needed to be done, and it was substantial.”
The Celtics promoted assistant coach Joe Mazulla to interim head coach for the season. Mazulla is well regarded in the Celtics organization and will now coach a team ready to make another deep playoff.
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