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Months after his scandalous affair gripped news headlines and cost him a coaching job with the Boston Celtics, Ime Udoka has landed a new gig with the Houston Rockets.
The team has finalized a deal to hire Udoka as its next head coach. During his brief time with the Celtics, Udoka led the team to the NBA Finals. However, after it was discovered that he had an inappropriate relationship with a female team staff member, he was dismissed. An investigation found that Udoka, the longtime partner of actress Nia Long at the time, used harsh language towards the woman. They eventually engaged in a workplace affair. Udoka was initially suspended before being terminated by the Celtics.
Udoka apologized to the franchise in September after the decision was made to let him go.
“I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision,” he stated at the time. Udoka has never told his side of the relationship with the woman or his current status with Long. However, the “Love Jones” star confirmed the two are no longer together.
Udoka’s presence in Houston will take the place of Stephen Silas, who was terminated after three seasons with the Rockets. Silas was given the boot after the team endured its worst record in the last two seasons, leaving the franchise seeking a new direction. Despite his personal indiscretions, Udoka is highly qualified for the position. He worked as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs from 2012 to 2019. He moved on to spend one season each with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, both in assistant coaching positions, before landing with the Celtics.
Udoka has not yet publicly spoken about his new job.
