Lashbrook Ready To Lead As Training Camp Approaches

PORTLAND, Maine – Maine Celtics first year Head Coach Tyler Lashbrook is eager to keep the momentum rolling for the Celtics in the 2024-25 NBA G League season.  

The first way he plans to do just that is to always bring positive energy to the players in Portland. 

"I think it's important as the leader of the group...When you're leading a drill, everyone follows the energy that you bring,” Lashbrook said. “I think it's important to know that in this job you can't have a bad day. Or at least if you are, you can't bring that bad day with you to the court because the players end up feeling it.” 

Originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, Lashbrook was hired as the 10^th head coach in franchise history, replacing Blaine Mueller, who accepted an assistant coaching position with the Charlotte Hornets after leading Maine to its first NBA G League Finals appearance last season.   

Lashbrook most recently served as a player development coach in Boston, helping the Celtics win the NBA Championship in 2024. As Lashbrook brings his championship experience to Portland, he will become the first Maine head coach to also retain his title of Assistant Coach for Boston.  

"I'm super grateful to be able to be in this position where I'm able to accomplish what we were able to accomplish last year and then come here and be able to accomplish some stuff here I hope to accomplish. It means a lot the organization trusts me enough to give me both of those titles,” Lashbrook said.  

Equipped with a dream of working in the NBA since childhood, the Western Kentucky graduate began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, working as a basketball operations intern and video coordinator from 2014 to 2018. Lashbrook was promoted to player development coach and served in that role from 2018 to 2023 under Brett Brown and Doc Rivers in Philadelphia.  

“Tyler is a great coach who excels in relationship management and communication,” said Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla. “Last season he led our late game situational prep and took the lead on developing some of our younger players. I am excited for Tyler to have this opportunity to grow as a coach and leader, and to impact the Maine team and community.” 

This season brings a new challenge for Lashbrook, who is a head coach for the first time in his career. Instead of working in small groups, the new man in charge will have to take more of a big picture approach with an entire roster that can fluctuate from the start of the season to April.  

"This is a little bit of a different situation for me given that it's more guys that I'm working with,” Lashbrook explained. “I've always felt the more you believe in the guys and the more you pour into them, the more they will give you back. It's exciting to be able to work with these guys and help them all in their careers wherever it takes them."  

Lashbrook calls the G League the best development opportunity in the world, and the new head coach knows he’ll learn plenty about himself as the season progresses. Lashbrook finds joy in watching guys progress on and off the court in an environment he hopes to build in Maine that mimics the one in Boston. He’s also excited to coach in front of a community that loves Celtics basketball in the Expo, one of the top gameday atmospheres in the league.  

“I'm excited just to be in Maine, be in Portland, embrace this community and the people here. One of the things that's exciting is the crowd atmosphere here,” he said. “I've been rewatching games from last year and I can't believe anytime you turn on a home game, what the atmosphere is like. I've been here from an opponent's standpoint, so I've seen it firsthand from that regard." 

In addition to the hiring of Lashbrook, the Maine Celtics also announced the rest of the coaching staff for the 2024-25 season. Steve Tchiengang returns to Maine for a second season, now as Associate Head Coach. Assistant Coach Taaj Ridley also returns to the Celtics for a second season, along with newcomers Landon Tatum and Brendan Baker. 

“I’m elated to have been able to put this coaching staff together,” said Lashbrook. “Each coach brings a unique skillset and a deep passion for player development. I believe every person on this staff has a bright future in basketball and I can’t wait to get to work with them at the Expo.”