Red Auerbach Legacy

The architect of the Celtics dynasty and a pioneer for racial equality in the NBA.

Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach (September 20, 1917 – October 28, 2006) was an American professional basketball coach and executive. As head coach, he led the Boston Celtics to eight consecutive NBA championships between 1959 and 1966. On retiring in 1966, he held an NBA coaching record of 938 wins. He served as general manager of the Celtics from 1966 to 1984, and later as president and vice-chairman of the Board. He served as president of the Celtics until his death in 2006 at the age of 89.

Lore & Background

Auerbach coached many players who were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He also played a key role in decreasing racial discrimination in the NBA. In 1950, he drafted Chuck Cooper, the NBA's first African-American player. In 1965, he introduced the first African-American starting five. In 1966, he hired Bill Russell as the NBA's first African-American head coach. Auerbach was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969. In 1980, the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America voted Auerbach the greatest coach in NBA history. He was also named NBA Executive of the Year in 1980. Auerbach has been regarded as one of the NBA 10 Greatest Coaches in history, was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and had his number 2 jersey retired at TD Garden, the Celtics' stadium.

Reader's Guide

Auerbach's coaching career began in 1941 at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. He then coached at Roosevelt High School for two years. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he coached the Washington Capitols in the BAA from 1946 to 1949. He briefly served as assistant coach at Duke University in 1949, then coached the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in the 1949–50 season. He joined the Boston Celtics in 1950 and coached them until 1966, winning eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966. He then served as general manager from 1966 to 1984, and later as president and vice-chairman of the Board until his death.