LONG POND, PA. (AP) - Ed Carpenter graduated from Butler, believes in “The Butler Way,” and forged a friendship with coach Brad Stevens.
Make that, former Butler coach Brad Stevens.
Stevens, of course, surprised everyone this week by taking the head job with the Boston Celtics.
Carpenter, who starts 15th in Sunday’s IndyCar race, was as shocked as everyone.
“I mean I still think about it a lot,” Carpenter said at Pocono Raceway. “I watched his press conference which he did a great job, as he always does. I’m excited to see who the next Butler coach is going to be.”
Carpenter didn’t have to wait long to find out. The Bulldogs announced Saturday they were promoting recently hired assistant Brandon Miller.
Bummed over his departure, Carpenter had no hard feelings toward Stevens. Just don’t expect him to root for the Celtics when they play the Indiana Pacers.
“Really happy for Brad. It’s a great opportunity for him in Boston,” Carpenter said. “Like I told him, they are my second favorite NBA team now.”
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