Kristian Ferrell
Bradley Kent Stevens, born on October 22, 1976, in Zionsville, Indiana, is an American basketball executive and former coach. Stevens' basketball career began at Zionsville Community High School, where he was a star player, setting four school records. After high school, he attended DePauw University, where he continued to play basketball while studying for a degree in economics. Stevens then quit his job at Eli Lilly and Company to pursue a career in basketball, joining Butler University as a volunteer in 2000. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a full-time assistant coach the following season and then head coach in 2007. During his time at Butler, Stevens achieved remarkable success, including league championships and multiple trips to post-season tournament play. He later joined the Boston Celtics as a coach and is currently serving as the team's President of Basketball Operations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bradley Kent Stevens |
| Date of Birth | October 22, 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Zionsville, Indiana |
| High School | Zionsville Community High School |
| College | DePauw University |
| College Major | Economics |
| College Basketball | Four-year member of the basketball team at DePauw |
| Coaching Career | Volunteer in the Butler basketball office, Assistant Coach at Butler University, Head Coach at Butler University, Head Coach for the Boston Celtics, President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics |
| Coaching Record | 166-49 record at Butler University, 354-282 record in 636 regular season games with the Boston Celtics |
| Awards and Honours | Two Horizon League Coach of the Year awards, Six trips to post-season tournament play, Four league regular season championships, Three league tournament titles, Three-time NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month |
| Family | Wife: Tracy Wilhelmy Stevens, Children: Kinsley and Brady |
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What You'll Learn
Brad Stevens' high school and college basketball career
Bradley Kent Stevens, born on October 22, 1976, in Zionsville, Indiana, started his basketball journey at Zionsville Community High School. Stevens was a star player at his high school, donning the No. 31 jersey in honour of Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller. His dedication to the sport saw him make the varsity team in his freshman year, and by the end of his high school career, he had set four school records. These included records for career points per game average (26.8), total career points (1,508), assists (444), and steals (156/157), as well as the single-season points record (644 in 1995). Stevens was also a three-time all-conference team member and the 1995 sectional MVP, showcasing his talent and impact on the court.
After graduating from Zionsville Community High School in 1995, Stevens continued his education and basketball career at DePauw University, where he played basketball and studied economics. At DePauw, Stevens excelled both academically and athletically, making the all-conference team multiple times and earning the distinction of being a three-time Academic All-America nominee. He graduated from DePauw University with a degree in economics in 1999.
Stevens' passion for basketball extended beyond his time on the court as a player. In 2000, he took a leap of faith and left his job at Eli Lilly to pursue a career in basketball coaching. He joined the basketball program at Butler University as a volunteer, working under then-coach Thad Matta. The following season, Stevens was promoted to a full-time assistant coach, demonstrating his dedication and potential in the coaching realm.
Stevens spent five seasons as a full-time assistant coach at Butler University before becoming the head coach in 2007. During his time as head coach, he led the team to great success, including two Final Four appearances and a record of 166-49. His impressive performance at Butler caught the eye of the Boston Celtics, and in 2013, he was offered the head coaching position for the renowned NBA franchise. Stevens signed a six-year, $22 million contract with the Celtics, marking a significant milestone in his coaching career.
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Transition to coaching
Brad Stevens' transition to coaching began in the summer of 2000 when he was offered the opportunity to volunteer in the Butler basketball office. Stevens quit his job at Eli Lilly and Company to take up this position at Butler University, where he had also studied for his degree. Stevens' wife, Tracy Wilhelmy, supported this decision, recognising that it was a chance they should take while they were still young. Stevens took a job at Applebee's to pay the bills, but before he started, he was offered a low-paying administrative role as the coordinator of basketball operations at Butler.
Stevens was promoted to a full-time assistant coach for the 2001-02 season, and after five seasons in this role, he became the head coach at Butler University on April 4, 2007. During his time as head coach, Stevens achieved remarkable success. In his six years, he compiled a record of 166-49, with four league regular-season championships and three league tournament titles. Stevens led his team to six post-season tournament plays and twice to the NCAA Division I national championship game.
Stevens joined the Boston Celtics after his successful tenure at Butler, becoming their head coach in 2013. In his eight seasons as head coach, Stevens amassed a record of 354-282 in 636 regular-season games. The Celtics made three appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals and seven straight trips to the playoffs from 2015-2021. Stevens was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Coach of the Month three times during his coaching career with the Celtics.
Stevens transitioned from coaching to a front-office role in 2021, becoming the Boston Celtics' President of Basketball Operations and de facto general manager. He is highly regarded in this position, with some considering him elite at both coaching and managing. Stevens' success as a coach and executive is attributed to his ability to scout, negotiate, recruit, and use players in ways that others do not.
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Success at Butler University
Brad Stevens' success at Butler University began when he joined the basketball program as a volunteer in 2000. The following season, Stevens was promoted to a full-time assistant coach. After five seasons in this role, he became the head coach in 2007.
Stevens' tenure as head coach of the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team is considered one of the most successful in NCAA Division I history. In his six seasons as head coach, Stevens accumulated a 166-49 record, including four league regular-season championships, three league tournament titles, and six appearances in post-season tournament play. Notably, he led the team to the NCAA Division I national championship game twice, resulting in two Horizon League Coach of the Year awards. Stevens' teams at Butler were known for their unselfish play, passion for the game, and strong team chemistry.
Stevens' success at Butler University extended beyond the court. He was heavily involved in the community and charitable initiatives. Stevens and his wife, Tracy, hosted a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer program before Butler's 2010 Final Four appearance. He also volunteered with the Jukes Foundation for Kids, a charity benefiting Ugandan children run by former Butler player Avery Jukes. Stevens maintained close relationships with his players, as demonstrated by his leave from the Celtics in 2016 to visit with former player Andrew Smith, who was battling cancer.
Stevens' impressive record at Butler University caught the attention of the Boston Celtics, and he was hired as their head coach in 2013. He carried his success over to the Celtics, leading them to three appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals and seven straight playoff appearances. Stevens' ability to develop players and implement successful strategies has solidified his reputation as one of the best coaches in the NBA.
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Move to the Boston Celtics
Stevens joined the Boston Celtics in 2013, after coaching at Butler University, where he achieved notable success. During his time at Butler, Stevens compiled a record of 166-49, including four league regular-season championships, three league tournament titles, and six appearances in post-season tournament play. He also led the team to the NCAA Division I national championship game on two separate occasions, a feat never before accomplished by a coach in the school's history. Stevens' impressive performance at Butler earned him two Horizon League Coach of the Year awards and a place in the NCAA record books for Best Coaching Starts by Wins.
Stevens' move to the Boston Celtics marked a new chapter in his career. He served as the team's head coach for eight seasons, from 2013 to 2021, and led the team to numerous playoff appearances. During his tenure, the Celtics made seven consecutive trips to the playoffs from 2015 to 2021 and reached the Eastern Conference Finals three times. Stevens' overall record with the Celtics stands at 354-282 in 636 regular-season games, placing him fourth in franchise history for most wins by a head coach. His achievements with the Celtics were recognised by the NBA, as he was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month on three occasions: April 2015, February 2016, and November 2017.
Stevens' success as a coach extended beyond the court and into the realm of player development and team building. His ability to identify and utilise players' strengths was instrumental in the success of players like Evan Turner, for whom Stevens secured a lucrative contract by being the only coach who fully utilised his potential. Stevens' impact on the Celtics went beyond coaching, as he played a crucial role in shaping the team's roster and asset value. His experience in scouting, negotiating, and recruiting from his college coaching days proved valuable in his new role.
On June 2, 2021, Stevens was named the Boston Celtics' President of Basketball Operations, a promotion that reflected his exceptional leadership skills and strategic mindset. In his new role, Stevens oversees the team's basketball operations and serves as the de facto general manager. This promotion marked a shift from his coaching responsibilities to a more executive role, where he could apply his extensive knowledge of the game and his strategic acumen to shape the team's future. Stevens' transition from coaching to a front-office role is a testament to his versatility and his deep understanding of the sport.
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Family and personal life
Brad Stevens was born on October 22, 1976, and raised in Zionsville, Indiana. Stevens attended Zionsville Community High School, where he played basketball and set four school records. After high school, he went on to DePauw University, where he earned a B.A. degree in economics in 1999. At DePauw, Stevens played basketball and earned the squad's "Coaches Award" in his senior year. It was also at DePauw that he met his future wife, Tracy Wilhelmy, who played soccer for the university. On their third date, Stevens drove Wilhelmy an hour and a half to attend a high school basketball game, demonstrating his passion for the sport.
Stevens and Wilhelmy married in August 2003. They have two children: a son, Brady, who plays basketball at Notre Dame, and a daughter, Kinsley. Tracy works as a labour and employment lawyer and also serves as Stevens' agent. The family is involved with the American Cancer Society's Coaches Vs. Cancer, a cause that holds personal significance for them after Tracy's mother passed away from the disease in 2004. Stevens has also dedicated his time to the Jukes Foundation for Kids, a charity benefiting Ugandan children.
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Frequently asked questions
Brad Stevens' basketball journey began in high school. He was a star player on the Zionsville Community High School basketball team, setting four school records. Stevens then attended DePauw University, where he continued to play basketball while studying for a degree in economics.
Stevens' first role in basketball was as a volunteer in the Butler basketball office. He later took on a low-paying administrative position as the coordinator of basketball operations under then-coach Thad Matta.
Stevens transitioned into coaching in 2000 when he joined the basketball program at Butler University as a volunteer. He was promoted to a full-time assistant coach the following season and became head coach in 2007.
Brad Stevens is currently serving as the president of basketball operations and de facto general manager for the Boston Celtics. He is in his second season as president and his 10th season overall with the team.
