Joe Mazzulla has faced skeptics talking about his lack of experience in coaching. But his visits with cancer patients are helping keep things in perspective.
Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla
Joseph Mazzulla was a basketball player at West Virginia University. He was a point guard for the Mountaineers from 2006 to 2011. He played a crucial role in West Virginia’s accomplishments, particularly their run to the NCAA Tournament Final Four in 2010.
But he received criticism in regards to his coaching. He opened up about his faith and how it has helped him become the person he is today.
Joe Mazzulla Talks About Faith
In an interview with Andscape.com, Joe stated, “I know that for my wife and I and my family, we’re supposed to be here. For us, our faith is really important, and we felt like we followed God’s plan to a T as to where He wanted us to be.”
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In a different interview with CBS News, he said, “I’m not the same person that I was. As you grow as a person, you’re constantly having to build an identity. I didn’t have one at a certain point in my life for whatever reason. You have to find a foundation, and for me, that’s my faith.”
He added, “My identity comes from my faith and my purpose. I got into coaching because I’ve had people pour into me and sacrifice for me, and I want to do that for my players.”
Cancer Patients Help Him Gain Perspective
A reporter asked Joe, “Is there something you’re doing over the last 48 hours to keep yourself away from just being consumed with this?”
He then shared the story of how he met cancer patients, which helped him gain perspective on what truly matters. “Honestly, I met three girls under the age of twenty-one with terminal cancer. And I thought I was helping them by talking to them, but they were helping me. And so having an understanding about what life is really all about, and watching a girl dying, yet smiling and enjoying her life, that’s what it’s really all about. And having that faith. You know the thing is, you always hear people, you know, give glory to God and say “thank you” when they’re holding a trophy. But you never really hear it in times like this. And so for me, it’s an opportunity to just sit right where I’m at and just be faithful. That’s what it’s about.”
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Header image: Joe Mazzulla [cbssports]. Instagram, 27 May 2023, https://www.instagram.com/reel/CstsvU3uwZO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D