New Celtics head coach Brad Stevens was looking to add a former player to round out his coaching staff in order to help give him some credibility, being that this will be his first season coaching at the professional level.
Stevens has tabbed Walter McCarty as the man who will fill that role.
McCarty played almost eight seasons in Boston from 1997-2005, and has a personal understanding of what the leaner years look like. He played for Rick Pitino for four years, during which time the team never won more than 36 games. He then experienced some success under Jim O’Brien, going to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, before playing under Doc Rivers during his first season as head coach.
James Posey was reportedly in the running for the position, but comes with only one season in Boston (albeit a championship one) and very little experience coaching at any level.
McCarty’s tenure in Boston was clearly important to Stevens in making the final decision here, as was the former player’s coaching experience. McCarty was a member of Jim O’Brien’s coaching staff with the Indiana Pacers during the 2010-11 season, and spent three seasons at Louisville as an assistant coach, as well.
McCarty was employed by the Celtics as a community relations consultant last season.