New Celtics Coach Has Long Road Ahead

B O S T O N, Jan. 9 -- Rick Pitino and Jim O’Brien came to Bostontogether with a plan: Pitino would revive the struggling Celtics,then move into the front office and turn the team over to hislongtime assistant.

“We talked about it from the first moment we came here,”O’Brien said Monday before losing his first game as the Celticshead coach, a 98-90 victory by the Portland Trail Blazers. “But Iwas hoping the team would be at the championship level.”

Pitino gave up on that plan earlier Monday, resigning as theCeltics coach 3½ years after he was lured away from a cushy job inKentucky to help reverse the once-proud franchise’s losing ways. Hewalked away from more than $20 million remaining on his contract.

O’Brien, who also was Pitino’s assistant with Kentucky and theNew York Knicks, was appointed interim coach. He received agenerous ovation when he was introduced before Monday night’s 98-90loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

But when it was over, the fans booed as they streamed out early— just as they had so many times for Pitino.

“We don’t expect the fans to give us a great turnout until wewin,” O’Brien said. “And we will win.”

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Celtics on Skid Under Pitino

Pitino made similar vows throughout his tenure in Boston.Instead, he leaves behind a 102-146 record, and a history of rosterchurning that left the team strapped under the salary cap andunable to find its groove.

“He’s not getting the job done as a coach and he wanted to move on,” said Celtics forward Antoine Walker, who also played forPitino at Kentucky. “He’s made a decision that’s best for him, and now he’s got to move on.”

Pitino had hinted since the end of last season that he wouldleave if the team did not improve in his fourth season. But thetone of his comments became more immediate as the Celtics stumbledto a 12-22 record, losing 11 of their last 14 games under Pitino.