Amanda Knapp
Brad Stevens is a basketball executive and former coach who currently serves as the president of basketball operations and de facto general manager for the Boston Celtics. Stevens was born and raised in Zionsville, Indiana, where he played basketball at Zionsville Community High School, setting four school records. After high school, he attended DePauw University, where he continued to play basketball and earned a degree in economics. Stevens then worked as a marketing associate at Eli Lilly and Company before quitting his job to pursue a career in basketball coaching. He joined the basketball program at Butler University as a volunteer and was later promoted to a full-time assistant coach. Stevens eventually became the head coach at Butler, where he achieved significant success, before moving on to coach the Boston Celtics. Throughout his career, Stevens has applied valuable lessons learned from his playing and coaching experiences, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bradley Kent Stevens |
| Born | October 22, 1976 |
| Birthplace | Zionsville, Indiana |
| High School | Zionsville Community High School |
| College | DePauw University |
| Major | Economics |
| Role | President of Basketball Operations and de facto general manager |
| Teams | Boston Celtics, Butler University |
| Achievements | 3x Academic All-America nominee, 2x Horizon COY, 4x Conference Champion, 3x League Tournament Champion |
| Family | Wife: Tracy (Wilhelmy) Stevens, Children: Kinsley and Brady |
| Other Involvement | American Cancer Society's Coaches Vs. Cancer, Jukes Foundation for Kids |
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What You'll Learn
Brad Stevens' early basketball career
Brad Stevens was born and raised in Zionsville, Indiana, where he attended Zionsville Community High School. Stevens was a basketball star at his high school, setting four school records, including most points (1,508), steals (157), and 3-point field goals made (138). He averaged 26.8 points per game as a senior and earned several accolades, including Star & News All-Metro, 3-time All-Conference, 1st Team Academic All-State, and 1995 Sectional MVP.
After graduating from high school in 1995, Stevens went on to attend DePauw University, where he continued his basketball career. He was a four-year member of the basketball team and earned multiple academic and athletic honours. Stevens was named to the all-conference team multiple times and was a three-time Academic All-America nominee. He also received the squad's "Coaches Award" in his senior year. Aside from basketball, Stevens excelled academically, majoring in economics and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999. He was also a Management Fellow and a dean's list honoree.
Following his graduation from DePauw University, Stevens worked as a marketing associate at Eli Lilly and Company. However, he soon realised that his true passion was not in a corporate office but on the basketball court. In 2000, he left his job and transitioned into coaching, joining the basketball program at Butler University as a volunteer. Stevens spent a season volunteering with the team before being promoted to a full-time assistant coach for the 2001–02 season.
Stevens spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Butler University, learning the intricacies of coaching and developing his leadership skills. He was dedicated to his craft, constantly learning and improving. In April 2007, when Todd Lickliter resigned to take a head coaching position at the University of Iowa, Stevens was one of three assistant coaches who interviewed for the vacant head coach role. Within 24 hours of the interviews, the 30-year-old Stevens was named Butler University's new head coach, becoming the second-youngest coach in Division I basketball at the start of the 2007–08 season.
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Stevens' time at DePauw University
Brad Stevens attended DePauw University, where he played basketball and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. Stevens was a dedicated student and athlete, making the dean's list and playing in all 101 possible games for the Tigers. He also earned four varsity letters, was named all-conference, academic all-conference, and was a three-time Academic All-America nominee.
Stevens' time at DePauw had a significant impact on his personal and professional development. He met his wife, Tracy (Wilhelmy) Stevens, who was also a student at DePauw. After graduating in 1999, Stevens worked as a marketing associate at Eli Lilly and Company. However, he soon realised that his true passion was in basketball, and he made the bold decision to leave his office job and pursue a career in coaching.
Stevens' transition into coaching began in 2000 when he joined the basketball program at Butler University as a volunteer. He quickly progressed, becoming a full-time assistant coach the following season. Stevens' time at DePauw had instilled in him a strong work ethic and a habit of continuous learning. He developed techniques during his undergraduate years that he would continue to use throughout his career.
In 2015, Stevens received the DePauw University Young Alumni Award and was inducted into the DePauw Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. He has maintained a connection with the university, returning to campus to share his insights and experiences during the Ubben Lecture Series. Stevens' journey from DePauw student-athlete to successful basketball coach and executive serves as an inspiration to the DePauw community and beyond.
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Transition to coaching
Brad Stevens, born and raised in Zionsville, Indiana, was a basketball star at Zionsville Community High School, setting four school records. After high school, he attended DePauw University, where he continued to play basketball and earned a degree in economics. Stevens excelled in both academics and sports at DePauw, making the all-conference team multiple times and being a three-time Academic All-America nominee.
However, Stevens' true passion lay in coaching. After graduating from DePauw, he initially worked as a marketing associate at Eli Lilly and Company. But in 2000, he made a bold decision to pursue his passion for basketball and left his job to join the basketball program at Butler University as a volunteer coach. Stevens' dedication and talent were quickly recognized, and he was promoted to a full-time assistant coach the following season.
Stevens spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Butler, learning the intricacies of the game and developing his coaching philosophy. Known as "The Butler Way," this system emphasized the unique culture and tradition of basketball at the university. Stevens' hard work and commitment paid off, and on April 4, 2007, he was named the new head coach of Butler University's basketball team at just 30 years old.
Stevens' success at Butler was remarkable. He amassed a 166-49 record, with four league regular season championships and three league tournament titles. He led the team to six appearances in post-season tournament play and became the only coach in school history to guide a team to the NCAA Division I national championship game, achieving this feat twice. Stevens' exceptional performance earned him two Horizon League Coach of the Year awards, and he rewrote the NCAA record book for Best Coaching Starts by Wins.
In 2013, Stevens took on a new challenge and became the head coach of the Boston Celtics in the NBA. Over eight seasons with the Celtics, he established himself as one of the league's most respected coaches, leading the team to three Eastern Conference Finals appearances and seven consecutive playoff qualifications. Stevens' impact extended beyond the court, as he was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Coach of the Month on three occasions.
In 2021, Stevens transitioned from coaching to a front-office role, becoming the President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics. This move highlighted his diverse skill set and influence within the organization. Stevens' leadership and strategic thinking have been instrumental in shaping the team's success, both on and off the court. His time as a coach has undoubtedly influenced his current role, as he continues to impact the game and the organization's trajectory.
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Success at Butler University
Brad Stevens joined the basketball program at Butler University as a volunteer in 2000, prior to the 2000–01 season. Stevens had played basketball at DePauw University, where he earned a degree in economics. Stevens was promoted to a full-time assistant coach at Butler University for the 2001–02 season. After five seasons in the role, he became Butler University's head coach on April 4, 2007, after Todd Lickliter left to coach the Iowa Hawkeyes. Stevens was just 30 years old at the time and was the second-youngest coach in Division I basketball at the start of the 2007–08 season.
Stevens' success at Butler University has been attributed to his coaching style, which has been described as calm and composed, with a focus on preparation and communication. The New York Times, USA Today, ESPN, and other commentators have noted that Stevens' teams were very well prepared and confident, which led to their success on the court. Stevens' priority on mental health and wellness programs for his players has also been highlighted as a contributing factor to his success.
During his time at Butler University, Stevens received a raise after each of his three seasons, with his total compensation for the 2009–10 season estimated at US$750,000. On April 8, 2010, Stevens signed a long-term deal with Butler, extending his contract through the 2021–22 season. Stevens' success at Butler University continued, with the team achieving a share of the conference title at 13–5 in the 2010–11 season.
Stevens remained connected to the Butler basketball family even after leaving for the Boston Celtics in 2013. In January 2016, he took a one-game leave from the Celtics to visit Andrew Smith, a player on both of Butler's Final Four teams who was dying of cancer. Stevens' success at Butler University helped establish him as one of the top coaches in the sport, and he has since become the president of basketball operations and de facto general manager for the Boston Celtics.
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Boston Celtics era
Brad Stevens was hired as the head coach of the Boston Celtics in 2013. He signed a six-year, $22 million contract and led the Celtics to the NBA playoffs every year from 2014 to 2021. Stevens gained a reputation as one of the NBA's best coaches, with his motion offense and stingy defense earning plaudits from fans, peers, and players. Stevens led the Celtics to seven consecutive playoff appearances and built one of the top teams in the league.
Stevens' success as a coach has been attributed to his transformative coaching style, which fosters an environment of vulnerability and authenticity among his players. He is known for his ability to build strong relationships with his players and for his strategic decision-making. Stevens also credits his success to the lessons he learned while playing basketball at DePauw University, where he developed habits of reading, writing, and re-writing that he still uses in his work today.
In June 2021, Stevens was named the president of basketball operations and the de facto general manager of the Celtics following the resignation of Danny Ainge. As the president of basketball operations, Stevens has continued to excel, particularly in the trade market. He has acquired several talented players, including Al Horford, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis, who were all key contributors to the Celtics' 2024 championship win. Stevens' success in the trade market has been attributed to his strong relationships with college coaches, as well as his fearlessness and intelligence in making bold moves.
Stevens has also demonstrated his commitment to the Celtics organization and his players beyond the court. In January 2016, he took a one-game leave from the team to visit Andrew Smith, a former player on the Butler University team who was dying of cancer. Stevens and his wife, Tracy, are also actively involved with the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative, having hosted a fundraiser for the organization in 2010.
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Frequently asked questions
Stevens learned basketball at Zionsville Community High School in his hometown of Zionsville, Indiana. He then went on to play basketball at DePauw University.
Stevens worked as a marketing associate at Eli Lilly and Company. However, he soon realised his passion for basketball and quit his job to pursue a career in the sport.
Stevens started as a volunteer coach at Butler University in 2000. He was promoted to a full-time assistant coach the following season.
Stevens became the head coach at Butler University in 2007. He was just 30 years old at the time, making him the second-youngest coach in Division I basketball.
Stevens had a highly successful tenure at Butler, amassing a record of 166-49. He guided the team to four league regular season championships, three league tournament titles, and six trips to post-season tournament play.
