Joe Mazzulla Reveals His Ultimate Goal With the Boston Celtics

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 26: Joe Mazzulla head coach of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena on October 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Head coach Joe Mazzulla has a unique ultimate goal for his tenure with the Boston Celtics.

Mazzulla’s goal isn’t to be the winningest, or most successful, coach in Celtics’ history. Instead, his ultimate goal is to be forgotten completely.

Joe Mazzulla Explains Why His Goal With the Boston Celtics is to be ‘Forgotten About’

During an appearance on the No Show Dogs podcast, Mazzulla explained why ultimately being forgotten about would mean that he did well during his time on the sideline in Boston.

“I think you have to be willing to be forgotten. I think that’s kind of my main goal. I want to be forgotten about. Because that means after you, it was better. I think that’s what it means to be a Celtic. However long you play, coach, work for the Celtics, your job is to keep it exactly where it’s at or bring it better. You cannot bring it down. If you leave and it gets worse, that’s your fault. If you leave and they win, and they forgot about you, you did your job,” Mazzulla said.

“I talk about that every day with the staff. Our job is to one day be forgotten about because you did your job. It became about something bigger than you. That’s a burden and a love for being with the Celtics, but it’s a responsibility. I think we could take that into our daily life. Can I leave it so much better that they don’t remember me because the next person came and was better?”

If ultimately being forgotten about is a sign of success, then Mazzulla is well on his way. Over his four seasons as the head coach in Boston, Mazzulla has amassed a regular season record of 238-90, which equates to a winning percentage of 72. He also led the Celtics to an NBA title during his second season as head coach.

Joe Mazzulla Will be Tested During the Upcoming 2026-27 NBA Season

While Mazzulla has enjoyed his fair share of success during his time in Boston thus far, he’s likely to be tested during the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season. The Celtics are coming off of a disappointing defeat in the first round of the playoffs and they shook things up in a major way over the offseason by trading star forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Brown has been a key piece of the puzzle for Boston for the past decade, and without him, the team could struggle a bit. It will be up to Mazzulla to keep Boston in the contender conversation in the Eastern Conference despite the changes to the roster.