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How Celtics' Joe Mazzulla Reacted To Red Sox Firing Alex Cora
TL;DR
Joe Mazzulla is now the longest-tenured head coach among Boston's major men's sports teams after the Red Sox fired Alex Cora. Cora's dismissal comes during a challenging start to the 2026 season.
Key points
- Joe Mazzulla is now the longest-tenured head coach in Boston sports
- Alex Cora was fired by the Red Sox amid a tough season start
- Mazzulla became Celtics head coach in 2023
Mentioned in this story
Joe MazzullaAlex CoraBoston Red SoxBoston Celtics
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla
How Celtics' Joe Mazzulla Reacted To Red Sox Firing Alex Cora originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Joe Mazzulla holds an unlikely distinction in Boston sports following Alex Cora's ousting.
The Red Sox fired Cora on Saturday amid a tumultuous start to the 2026 season. That makes Mazzulla the longest-tenured head coach of the city's four major men's sports teams despite landing the Celtics' job in 2023.
Mazzulla addressed Cora's axing before leading the Celtics to a Game 4 playoff win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, per WEEI's Justin Turpin.
“He’s great," Mazzulla said of Cora. "I think he does a great job building relationships with the players. Navigating the ebbs and flows of a long season, staying even-keeled. Grateful that I've gotten to learn from him. Wherever he goes, I know he'll be good."
Both leaders quickly reached the mountaintop of their respective sports. While the Celtics won the NBA title in Mazzulla's second season, Cora concluded his first year as manager by steering the Red Sox to a 2018 World Series crown.
Cora went 621-541 as the Red Sox's skipper, taking the American League East squad to three playoff appearances in eight seasons. However, a 10-17 start prompted the organization to make a move and insert Chad Tracy as .
Q&A
Why was Alex Cora fired by the Red Sox?
Alex Cora was fired by the Red Sox due to a tumultuous start to the 2026 season.
How long has Joe Mazzulla been the Celtics' head coach?
Joe Mazzulla became the Celtics' head coach in 2023, making him the longest-tenured head coach in Boston's major men's sports.
What does Cora's firing mean for Boston sports teams?
Cora's firing highlights the instability within the Red Sox organization and leaves Mazzulla as the only remaining head coach among Boston's major men's sports teams.
