O'Brien agrees to extension with Celtics

[HawkTodd]

O'Brien agrees to extension with Celtics (5-21-03).

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0521/1557230.html

BOSTON -- Jim O'Brien has agreed to a contract extension after coaching the Boston Celtics to two straight playoff berths following a six-year drought. The extension was confirmed by Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss on Wednesday.

Danny Ainge, Boston's new executive director of basketball operations, had said he wanted to keep O'Brien.

O'Brien, an assistant on coach Rick Pitino's staff, took over after Pitino resigned Jan. 8, 2001. O'Brien joined the Celtics when Pitino became coach in 1997-98. He spent the previous three seasons as an associate coach with Pitino at Kentucky.

Under O'Brien, the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2002 and the conference semifinals in 2003. They lost both times to New Jersey, getting swept in four games this year.

But after eight straight losing seasons, Boston was 49-33 and 44-38 under O'Brien. The 49 wins were the most for the Celtics since they had 56 in 1990-91.

When O'Brien succeeded Pitino, the team held a 12-22 record, then went 24-24 the rest of the 2000-2001 season.