Brad Stevens took a major risk leaving Butler for the Celtics, trying to successfully make the college-to-pro coaching transition like few before him.
But he had the safety net of preserving credibility at the college level.
Anytime a college job comes open, Stevens will be a candidate.
His name came up for the Indiana job earlier this season, and now he’s being mentioned as a possible Rick Barnes replacement at Texas.
Seth Davis of CBS and Sports Illustrated:
A knowledgeable source informs me that as of this morning there have been no direct talks b/t Texas and Shaka Smart. Not sensing momentum.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 31, 2015
If you want a sleeper for the job, it could be Avery Johnson. I'm also hearing some Brad Stevens chatter. This will be a fun one.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 31, 2015
Stevens was asked about the rumors, and he offered just four words:
“I’ll be in Boston.”
Texas fans can read that with an implied “for now” tacked on the end, but Stevens seems happy in the NBA. He has the resources to coach how he desires, and the Celtics are in the playoff race. He’ll get Coach of the Year votes.
He also has four years remaining on his contract, so he has security – not that the Celtics would want do dump him anytime soon.
Regardless of how seriously the Longhorns pursued Stevens, it seems they’ve moved on.
