BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Celtics on Thursday added veteran NBA coach Tom Thibodeau, known as a defensive specialist, to their coaching staff.

In his 17 seasons as an assistant, the last four in Houston, Thibodeau has helped his teams finish in the NBA’s Top 10 in team defense 14 times. He helped the Rockets rank in the top five in the NBA in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense in all four years he was with the team.

He has also coached with the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics, San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers.

His hiring in Boston is a homecoming for the New Britain, Conn., native, who played four years at Salem (Mass.) State, then coached at his alma mater for four years, including one as head coach, before joining Harvard’s staff in 1985.