Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Spills the Tea on New Heights Podcast With Jason Kelce and Travis — Coach Joe Mazzulla Wants Him to Adopt Travis Kelce’s Winning Attitude and Dreams of Meeting Taylor Swift Through the Chiefs Star

Coach Mazzulla’s Unexpected Inspiration: Jayson Tatum Spills the Tea on New Heights Podcast

In a surprising and lighthearted moment on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, hosted by NFL star Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum dropped a revelation that left fans of both sports and pop culture buzzing. The All-Star athlete shared an amusing tidbit about his head coach, Joe Mazzulla, revealing that the Celtics mastermind has a deep admiration for Travis Kelce—not just for his dominance on the football field, but for his larger-than-life persona and, yes, his high-profile romance with global superstar Taylor Swift.

The episode, which aired on March 26, 2025, took an unexpected turn when Tatum, a frequent guest on sports podcasts, opened up about Mazzulla’s off-the-court aspirations. “Coach Mazzulla’s been talking about you, Trav,” Tatum said with a chuckle, addressing the Kansas City Chiefs tight end directly. “He’s like, ‘Man, I want to be more like Kelce. That dude’s got it all figured out—plays hard, lives big, and he’s got Taylor Swift!’” The comment drew laughter from both Travis and Jason, setting the stage for what would become one of the podcast’s most memorable moments yet.

Tatum went on to explain that Mazzulla, known for his intense focus and unconventional coaching style, sees Kelce as more than just an athlete. “He loves how you carry yourself, man,” Tatum continued. “The confidence, the swagger, the way you handle everything on and off the field—it’s like he’s taking notes. And then he’s always bringing up Taylor Swift. He’s obsessed with how you two make it work with all the spotlight.”

The revelation didn’t stop there. Tatum shared that Mazzulla’s admiration extends to a personal goal: meeting Taylor Swift herself. “He’s legit hoping he can meet her one day,” Tatum said, turning the conversation into a playful plea. “So, Trav, I’m putting it on you—Coach wants you to set it up. He’s counting on you to be the hookup!” The request prompted a roar of laughter from Travis, who quipped, “I’ll see what I can do, man. Gotta get Coach Mazzulla in the VIP section at a show or something.”

For fans of the Celtics, this glimpse into Mazzulla’s personality adds a new layer to the coach who led the team to an NBA Championship in 2024. Known for his philosophical musings and relentless work ethic, Mazzulla rarely lets his guard down in public. Yet, according to Tatum, the 36-year-old coach has a soft spot for Kelce’s charisma and the fairy-tale-like narrative of his relationship with Swift, which has captivated headlines since the couple went public in 2023.

“Joe’s always saying he wants to bring some of that Kelce energy to the team,” Tatum elaborated. “He’s like, ‘If I could just get a little bit of that vibe, we’d be unstoppable.’ And then he’ll start talking about Taylor Swift—how she’s this huge star, but you guys make it look effortless. I think he’s low-key jealous.”

The exchange offered a rare peek behind the Celtics’ curtain, blending the worlds of basketball, football, and pop culture in a way only New Heights can. Travis, no stranger to bridging sports and entertainment thanks to his romance with Swift, took the compliment in stride. “Man, I’m flattered,” he said, grinning. “Tell Coach Mazzulla he’s welcome to hang with me anytime. Maybe we’ll get Taylor to crash a Celtics game—she’d probably love that.”

Jason Kelce, ever the jokester, chimed in with his own take. “So what you’re saying, Jayson, is that Mazzulla wants to be catching touchdowns and dating a pop star? I mean, shoot for the stars, I guess!” The banter kept the episode’s energy high, with Tatum laughing along as he nodded. “Pretty much, man. He’s got big dreams.”

For Swifties and sports fans alike, the idea of a Travis Kelce-Joe Mazzulla-Taylor Swift meetup is the kind of crossover event that could break the internet. While it’s unclear if Mazzulla will ever get his wish, Tatum’s candid storytelling has already sparked a wave of reactions online. “Coach Mazzulla being a secret Swiftie is the plot twist I didn’t see coming,” one X user posted, while another joked, “Travis Kelce: Super Bowl champ, Taylor Swift