AUSTIN AINGE NAMED CELTICS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL

Red Claws To Open Search for New Head Coach Immediately

PORTLAND, ME – The Maine Red Claws, presented by Quirk Chevrolet, today confirmed that Head Coach Austin Ainge will rejoin the Boston Celtics as Director of Player Personnel. The team will immediately open a search for the second head coach in team history.

“I am sorry to see Austin go but happy for him in his new position with the Celtics” said Maine Red Claws President and General Manager Jon Jennings. “All of us with the Red Claws enjoyed working with Austin. No one worked harder and was more committed to making our players better. He will be missed. We wish Austin, Crystal and his boys the best going forward.”

Ainge, 29, joined the Red Claws following stints as a scout with the Boston Celtics and as an assistant coach at Southern Utah University and led the Red Claws to a 45-55 record in two seasons at the Red Claws helm. His 2009-10 squad tied the NBA D-League record for wins by an expansion team in their first season with 27, narrowly missing the playoffs by virtue of a tiebreaker. In his two seasons with the Red Claws, three Red Claws players earned NBA call ups and seven NBA players were assigned to the team. During the 2010-11 season, Ainge led a young Red Claws’ team that included up to seven rookies, including the 2011 NBA Development League Rookie of the Year DeShawn Sims.

“I truly appreciate the opportunity that the Red Claws gave me and have enjoyed my time in Maine tremendously,” said Ainge. “The fans in Maine are incredible, and I wish the organization nothing but the best going forward.”