He just coached his NBA all-star team to a win. He is coaching the favorite to win the NBA championship by most observers. And he just had the interim tag removed from in front of his coach’s moniker and is filling the role permanently.

 

For anyone with a sports acumen, you know of whom I speak – Joe Mazzulla. Along with his playing days for John Beilein and Bob Huggins on some of the most successful teams in West Virginia University history, Mazzulla has established himself as one of the best coaches in all of basketball.

 

That, in and of itself, is an accomplishment. Yet, the meteoric rise of Mazzulla from a Glenville State assistant to Fairmont State head coach – with a few stops in between – to the NBA’s Boston Celtics is nothing short of 30 for 30 worthy.

 

One individual had a little bit of a front row seat for the journey that you may know. That would be the “Voice of the Indians” Travis Jones, who also doubles as the “Voice of the Falcons.” And during a three-season run from that ended in 2019, Mazzulla was the head coach of the Falcons.

 

For anyone that follows Fairmont, they know there are similarities between Jones’ work there and with BHS. There is a coach’s show during the week, and an interview with the coach used during game broadcasts. Here is where you can get an idea just how far Mazzulla has come in the last few years.

 

“To get that game-day interview, I’d see him at halftime of the women’s game, which proceeds the men’s game,” said Jones. “He was always predictable, back in the locker room and usually reading a book and relaxing.

 

“It was probably in 2019, I was interviewing him at Concord University in Athens and the locker rooms are all downstairs in the basement and the visiting locker room is not real big” Jones continued. “We tried to go into a clothing area in the corner and it was crowed and ended up right next to the restrooms. So, the guy you see being interviewed today on every major network or cable station as the Celtics head coach, was interviewing with me about three years ago with a urinal right next to us.”

 

Four years later, he is the head coach of one of the most storied and recognized franchises in all of pro sports in the Celtics.

 

“When I think back to then and how quickly he got to where he is now, it’s surreal,” said Jones. “That type of jump almost never happens, and I’ve been around some guys who made a jump.”

 

One of those is former long-time WVU women’s Coach Mike Carey. Jones served as the radio call on their games for seven years at then Salem-Teikyo University before Carey headed to Morgantown.

 

“To go from Division-II men’s coach to coaching a Power 5 women’s program … was a massive jump you rarely see,” said Jones. “This is even bigger, and quicker. About the only thing faster could be to go from high school to the NBA with no stopovers. You just don’t see this happening, which speaks to the level of respect he has garnered in such a short time.”

 

There have been some stopovers for Mazzulla starting with Glenville State from 2011 to 2013, and then as an assistant at Fairmont to Jarrod Calhoun from 2013 to 2016. Then, he left Fairmont State to go to the G League of the NBA and coach the Maine Red Claws who are affiliated with the Celtics from 2016 to 2017.

 

The big move came when he took over for Calhoun back at Fairmont State after the G League stint and into 2019. He left Marion County to serve as an assistant to former Celtics Coach Brad Stevens, who apparently saw something he liked from his former G League coach.

 

When Stevens left coaching to become the Celtics head of basketball operations, Ime Udoka was named coach and – with Mazzulla still as an assistant – took Boston to the NBA finals last year where they eventually fell to the Golden State Warriors.

 

When Udoka was suspended prior to the start of the season, the Celtics handed things over to Mazzulla with the interim tag. The tag disappeared this year after Mazzulla not only kept the talented Celtics winning but has had them at the top of the league all season.

 

The terms of Mazzulla’s contract have not been released, but it is almost certainly a multi-year deal that, at worst, is likely in the range of $2-$3 million annually. And while Fairmont State pays appears to a healthy one in the Division II ranks, the increase is notable when it’s 20 or 30 times higher.

 

While surprised at the rapid rise, Jones is not surprised at the success. He said it makes sense after dealing with him for several years.

 

“He had a pro basketball mindset, very analytical,” said Jones. “He also did a few things that I won’t say were odd, but strange in relation to what I’ve seen.

 

“None of the players called him coach. They called him Joe, and he had their total respect and command outside of the typical player not pleased with playing time,” Jones continued. “The other thing was he never went to the locker room at halftime. He talked on the bench on the floor while you’re having a halfcourt shootout or a biddy ball game. It was different, but you can’t say it wasn’t effective.”

 

Jones has been around basketball for decades now at the collegiate and high school level. He said Mazzulla’s focus was almost strictly on game planning to win over recruiting, fundraising, and things of that nature. He said he delved into the science behind basketball and analytics frequently, which is a standard for today’s NBA.

 

“The big thing that stuck with me, beyond being extremely structured, was his philosophies were geared toward turning boys into men in college. He taught them the right way to play and the right way to be in society,” said Jones. “The kids loved playing for him, and they played hard for him.”

 

As for anything else? Jones said success has not changed Mazzulla so far and he does not think it will happen.

 

“He was back earlier this year at Fairmont State, which was great because his schedule does not allow for things like that; it was in December,” said Jones. “He’s just extremely gracious and he was the same guy in December as the Celtics coach as he was when I first met him. That really makes you want to see him do well.”

 

It also makes you hope all future interviews won’t be beside urinals. Mazzulla, it’s safe to say, has graduated past that.

 

Editor's Note: Top and bottom images are screen shots from Travis Jones' former Coach's Show with Joe Mazzulla, while Mazzulla is shown coaching his Fairmont State team in 2018. All images courtesy of Fairmont State University Athletics.