Nia Long‘s former fiancé Ime Udoka is back in the sporting industry with a new gig following his infamous cheating scandal.
Nearly a year ago, the estranged couple called their engagement off after Udoka was accused of having an affair with a female colleague as a Boston Celtics coach.
Although the alleged affair led him to be suspended from the organization for the 2022-23 season, he has now been offered a coaching position with NBA’s Houston Rockets.
Nia Long’s Former Partner Ime Udoka Lands Coaching Job With Houston Rockets
According to a Twitter update from ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, Long’s ex-partner has a new job with a new team, unsurprisingly causing Twitter users to voice their opinions about the development.
“ESPN Sources: Ime Udoka has agreed to a deal to become the next Houston Rockets coach,” Wojnarowski wrote, adding a picture of the former basketballer with a label across spelling “Breaking news” and the reporter’s name.
Wojnarowski commented on the news, pointing at Udoka’s cheating scandal before users trooped in with remarks. Explaining how the Rockets felt about the scandal attached to their new coach, the sports reporter wrote,
“The Rockets probed the circumstances around Udoka’s Celtics departure with the team and league office, sources said. Udoka – who led the Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals in his only season as head coach – was dismissed after findings of an inappropriate workplace relationship.”
“WOWWWW,” a surprised commenter penned, and another stated, “I wonder if he slid into the Rockets’s to set up a discreet meeting.” One user believed that Rockets star James Harden would not be a fan of working with the new coach but later acknowledged the team’s “great hire.”
Several other commenters were blunter with their opinions, including one who remarked, “Keep your wives at home,” identical with another who penned, “Women in Houston lock your doors.” Per PEOPLE, Udoka is set to replace Stephen Silas, whose overall record as the Rockets’ head coach was 59-177 over the last three seasons.
The new position will be his first after he violated Boston Celtics’ team policy multiple times, particularly with his involvement with a female subordinate he was disciplined for.
ESPN Sources: Ime Udoka has agreed to a deal to become the next Houston Rockets coach. pic.twitter.com/xhcDRDfnNJ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 24, 2023
The team’s majority owner Wyc Grousbeck declared that no one else besides the ex-Celtics coach faced penalty, adding that the team would be vigilant to “ensure that Udoka’s actions aren’t a preview of a larger problem.”
It should be noted that the Rockets finished 14th in the western conference with a 22-60 record, while Udoka led the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance during his first year as an NBA head coach. Additionally, the Celtics promoted Joe Mazzulla as its interim head coach and eventually removed the temporary tag, making Mazzulla the permanent coach during the season.
As you might know, the news of the 45-year-old coach’s infidelity broke in September 2022, and he faced heavy backlash on social media for “fumbling” the “Fatal Affair” actress.
Not long after news of Udoka’s infidelity circulated, PEOPLE revealed that he and Long ended their 13-year relationship. A source mentioned that while the situation was “unfortunate and painful,” the actress focused on her jobs and “rebuilding her life.”
Also, a rep for Long confirmed that the duo, who share one child, Kez, were “no longer together but remained “fully committed to co-parenting their son.” Their separation came on the heels of the Boston Celtics addressing Udoka’s suspension via a press conference in September.
Such publicity was distressing for Long as she told The Hollywood Reporter about how “heartbreaking” it was to see her son’s face when the team made “a very private situation public.” Meanwhile, her ex later stated ESPN’s Malika Andrews, apologizing to his players, fans, family, and the Celtics for letting them down and placing them in a “difficult situation.”
The ‘Soul Food’ Actress Said She Felt Liberated After Splitting From Her Ex-Fiancé
Earlier this year, Long showed she had moved on from her former fiancé’s disgraceful affair as she found a new love interest after being seen in the arms of a few male celebs.
She emphasized her single status during an appearance on the “Drew Barrymore Show,” saying she was “enjoying the single life.” The “Friday” actress admitted that she was not done yet with finding love before hinting at a potential beau whom she was not ready to share.
“I have my eye on one person,” she declared. “I’m not saying. I’m never telling.” Before her appearance on the show, the 52-year-old Hollywood star was rumored to be dating a couple of A-listers in the entertainment industry.
First, she was linked with singer Omarion and then Terrence J. Howard, but Long has denied both rumors.
