ESPN REPORT: Pat Sullivan Departs UNC for Assistant Coaching Role with Boston Celtics
By Jeff L. Hartman | ESPN Senior Writer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — July 16, 2025 — In a move that has stunned the college basketball world and shaken the foundation of the University of North Carolina’s men’s basketball staff, longtime Tar Heel assistant coach Pat Sullivan has announced his departure from Chapel Hill to accept an assistant coaching position with the Boston Celtics, league sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday morning.
Sullivan, 51, who returned to UNC in 2023 after nearly two decades in the NBA coaching and front office ranks, was widely viewed as a rising star within the college coaching landscape. Known for his deep basketball IQ, calm sideline demeanor, and reputation as a player development guru, Sullivan played a key role in shaping the Tar Heels’ frontcourt and was instrumental in their run to the 2024 Elite Eight.
“Leaving Chapel Hill is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Sullivan said in a statement released through UNC Athletics. “The University of North Carolina is home. It raised me as a player and as a coach. But the opportunity to join an iconic franchise like the Boston Celtics, under a championship-focused organization, was simply one I couldn’t pass up at this stage of my career.”
Sources say Boston’s head coach Charles Lee, who took over the Celtics in June following Joe Mazzulla’s departure to the college ranks, specifically targeted Sullivan for his developmental work with big men and his championship pedigree — both as a player on UNC’s 1993 national title team and as a coach with the Los Angeles Clippers during their 2021 Western Conference Finals run.
Sullivan’s NBA résumé includes stints with the Wizards, Pistons, Clippers, and Knicks in various roles, including player development coordinator and assistant coach. His return to Carolina was celebrated as a full-circle moment for a program steeped in tradition, but his second stint lasted just two seasons.
UNC head coach Hubert Davis acknowledged the surprise and difficulty of the move in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
“Pat has been more than just a coach for our program — he’s been a mentor, a leader, and a friend,” Davis said. “While we are sad to see him go, we are incredibly proud of what he’s achieved and excited for this next chapter in his journey. Boston is getting one of the best minds and finest men in the game.”
Sullivan’s departure leaves a significant void on the UNC staff just weeks before the team departs for its overseas exhibition tour in Spain. According to sources close to the program, Davis is expected to promote Director of Player Development Sean May or pursue an experienced assistant with NBA ties to fill the role quickly.
The timing is less than ideal, with the Tar Heels entering the 2025-26 season as one of the top preseason contenders following the addition of star transfer Jalen Moreland and the return of All-ACC guard Zayden Blake.
As for Sullivan, the move marks another chapter in a rich basketball life shaped by experience at every level — from Dean Smith’s bench in the early ’90s to the bright lights of TD Garden in 2025.
“I will always bleed Carolina blue,” Sullivan said. “But it’s time to chase another dream.”
Let me know if you’d like a follow-up piece about UNC’s replacement options or a profile on Sullivan’s coaching career!
