Stevens is known for a calm , focused coaching style . He spends a lot of time analyzing opponents using statistical analysis , adding new wrinkles to his team 's play each game . He puts a strong emphasis on defensive and team oriented basketball . Butler 's success against teams with superior athletes has been attributed to Stevens ' coaching style and calm demeanor . Stevens has twice been named the Horizon League Coach of the Year and won collegeinsider.com 's Hugh Durham Award mid @-@ season honors in January 2009 . He has also been both a Hugh Durham Award and Jim Phelan Award finalist all three years of his career . Stevens has been called a coaching prodigy and compared to John Wooden . He is married with two young children . In July 2013 , he signed a six @-@ year , 22 million dollar contract to become the head coach of the Boston Celtics in the NBA . In April 2015 , Stevens led the Celtics to the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 40 – 42 record .