New details have emerged regarding head coach Ime Udoka‘s suspension from the Celtics for the entire 2022/23 season. Sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the independent law firm that investigated Udoka listed “the power dynamic associated with a superior’s improper relationship with a staff member” to be the main policy violation.
In addition, the report from the investigation found that Udoka used “crude language” toward a female subordinate before beginning an improper workplace relationship with the same employee, which played a significant factor in the suspension’s severity, Wojnarowski writes. The language Udoka used “was deemed especially concerning coming from a workplace superior,” according to Wojnarowski, who adds that Udoka is likely facing a “difficult pathway” to reinstatement for the 2023/24 season.
Sources tell Wojnarowski that Boston would allow Udoka to pursue other coaching opportunities if he becomes a candidate in the future. Rival teams have been trying to gather information to get a better picture of what led to the suspension “in preparation for possibly evaluating him” for coaching jobs, Woj adds.
Owner Wyc Grousbeck previously stated the report uncovered “a volume of violations” and Udoka would face “a significant financial penalty” as part of the suspension.
“This felt right, but there’s no clear guidelines for any of this,” Grousbeck responded when asked whether Udoka should have been dismissed. “This is really a conscious, gut feel and being here 20 years.”
After a rocky start to the ’21/22 season, Udoka’s first as a head coach, he led a dramatic turnaround that saw Boston reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, ultimately falling to the Warriors in six games. Joe Mazzulla was named interim head coach in place of Udoka.
Just give him the chair for his crimes and be done with it. He’s clearly a danger to the organization and society as a whole
You’d like that, wouldn’t you Nia?
Maybe Cleveland?
Were good, JB is great for our team right now. He’s a players coach who is a solid defensive oriented person. That’s perfect for our young guys.
He ain’t the coach Udoka is.
Udoka is one of the premiere coaches in the NBA. The way he kept his team in it vs the Bucks last year…I was extremely impressed. I’d take Ime right now over Budenholzer…and most teams would be better with him.
Oh cool you needed seven games to beat a Bucks team without Khris Middleton and then nearly blew it at the end of game 7 to Miami. That doesn’t scream “premiere” to me after one year. Meanwhile Bud has a chip.
A-I played ZERO minutes.
B-I’m a BUCKS fan.
C-So he DIDN’T win a Title with a team that wasn’t even competitive in the post-season the year before despite having the same core.
What he did with THAT team was amazing. Bud has a chip because of Giannis.
That Celtics team was months from breaking up Tatum, Brown, Smart and then probably dumping Horford and company…but he got them playing together.
He was one of, IF not the best coaches in the NBA last year.
Meanwhile, WE played George Hill over Jevon Carter…despite Carter leading the NBA in +/- in the post-season and George Hill, coming back from a neck and a core injury being the WORST.
So miss me with the Bud BS.
He’s not a very smart human, is he?
Certainly makes more sense with the new details. That said, BOS deciding to not can him feels unreasonable. Surely they could just terminate his contract if he violated team rules? Feels unlikely he can come back to the team after this.
Couple of things in play. First, an investigation. While there may be enough evidence for a suspension, they may prefer to wait and see the entire report before making a/the final decision. Making such a decision to fire him could be a case of wrongful termination outside of performance, and there may be prior cases that have been allowed of relationships of others within the organization. Typically it’s allowed if reported, despite policy, but considering her marital status, this becomes more complex. His public role is also of importance, whereas treatment may differ. While policy may be in play, it also may not always be enforced, thus the hesitation to move forward.
Celts could also be holding him in a stay pattern in order to prevent him from joining another team. To my knowledge, it’s the Celts that have suspended him and not the league, unless I missed something.
Personally, he’s a fool for ruining a great gig and someone else’s family outside of his own relationship.
One hand: You can’t have a relationship with someone who reports to you
Other hand: You can’t have a relationship with someone who reports to you (who has the connections to sue the $&#% out of the company if things go sour)
To many people see work boss/subordinate relationships on tv or in movies and think about two people falling in love or causing some entertaining office drama but people fail to realize the financial risk involved if an organization found out, as they did, and didn’t take action.
Under a legal doctrine sometimes referred to as “respondeat superior” an employer is legally responsible for the actions of its employees. However, this rule applies only if the employee is acting within the course and scope of employment. In other words, the employer will generally be liable if the employee was doing his or her job, carrying out company business, or otherwise acting on the employer’s behalf when the incident took place.
One “fun” night at the office could turn into very serious accusations that the employer could be held responsible for.
Was the comment “F me or I will fire you”?
Not much else out there that would bring a “Wont ever work this league again”.
This had the makings of a Netflix documentary.
He’s done at least in Boston.
There’s got to be more”details” to this than this minor tidbit. Maybe next week.
If he gets another chance , I could see the Spurs bringing him in as an assistant again to eventually replace Coach Pop
I doubt it. I mean, I don’t know Pop personally and I’m normally very hesitant to assume anything about people I don’t know, but I figure the organization would not want that type of character back in fold, as much as Pop may like some of what he brings to the table.
Maybe Becky Hammon brings him along as her assistant when she replaces Pop.
Or….not.
Hammon is going to Boston… ready-made squad and only way Boston can save face from this fiasco. Brad Stevens has got to do something big to change the narrative.
Quin Snyder is going to replace Pop.
This is why you don’t where you eat. Right, wrong or indifferent, you put yourself at the mercy of others.