Celtics' Ime Udoka Reportedly Won't Resign as HC After Alleged Staff Relationship

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka will not resign from his position while he waits for punishment from the Boston Celtics for having a consensual relationship with a female member of the organization.

According to multiple reports, he is facing punishment and could be suspended for a year.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It’s been deemed a violation of franchise’s code of conduct.

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

Ime Udoka’s job isn’t believed to be in jeopardy, but a suspension is looming and a final determination on that length could come as soon as Thursday, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/x0uWgD5URM

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla is likely to become Boston's interim coach for the season, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/GKEiMemnFN

The Celtics' handling of the situation at this point has been seen as suspicious by some NBA pundits.

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA

The handling of the Ime Udoka situation has been awful. From it leaking out to the coverage to the rampant speculation and putting people’s names and reputation up while speculation is disgusting and gross. No one needs these details. These are real people in a messed up spot.

Adam Kaufman @AdamMKaufman

Agreed. The initial reporting invited heightened speculation, and that's only been compounded by the team's silence. The longer this drags on, the more it appears the #Celtics and Ime Udoka are headed for a parting, not a hiatus. https://t.co/0UNqWfrJmO

Jemele Hill @jemelehill

If somebody in the Celtics organization leaked that story about Ime Udoka, they need to be held accountable. Every woman who works there now must deal with some awful speculation. Just foul.

Udoka led the Celtics to a 51-31 record and a trip to the NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Warriors.

He worked as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets.

He played in the NBA for seven years with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Portland Trail blazers, and San Antonio Spurs.

He was a professional player in Europe.

An interim head coach will be named by the end of the day. He has been an assistant coach for the Celtics for the past three years, working under both Brad Stevens and Udoka.