Coaching Transitions in ’01

After three straight losing seasons and a 12-22 start, the Rick Pitino era came to a sudden end on January 8, 2001, when he resigned both his roles as head coach and team president. Jim O’Brien stepped into the role as interim head coach and the Celtics won 18 of 31 down the stretch. Young stars Paul Pierce (25.3) and Antoine Walker (23.4) were the only Celtics to average double-digit points per game that season.