Red Auerbach

Verified Timeline

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 first African-American player drafted by an NBA team. In 1964, the Celtics fielded the first African-American starting five. In 1966, he hired Bill Russell as the NBA's first African-American head coach.

In Their Own Story

The celebration of victory was a ritual as iconic as the wins themselves. After clinching titles, particularly during the eight-year streak from 1959 to 1966, Auerbach would light a victory cigar on the sidelines, a gesture that became synonymous with Celtics success. The atmosphere in the Boston Garden was electric, filled with the roar of fans as his teams dismantled opponents like the Minneapolis Lakers or the St. Louis Hawks. One defining moment occurred during the 1956 draft when Auerbach secured Bill Russell via trade, setting the stage for a decade of dominance. Another pivotal era was the 1946–47 season with the Washington Capitols, where he led a team built around Bones McKinney to a 49–11 record and a 17-game winning streak. Even in defeat, such as the loss to the Chicago Stags that year or the finals loss to George Mikan's Lakers in 1949, Auerbach remained a fierce competitor. His journey from a Navy Rehabilitation officer in 1943 to an NBA legend was marked by constant adaptation, whether rebuilding the Tri-Cities Blackhawks by trading over two dozen players in six weeks or crafting the perfect role for sixth men like Frank Ramsey and John Havlicek.

Reader's Guide

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 the 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.

Did You Know?

• Auerbach earned the nickname "Red" due to his distinctive flaming red hair and fiery temper.
• He popularized and refined the fast break technique as a coach, though it existed before his time.
• Auerbach served as a Rehabilitation and Physical Training officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
• He coached the Washington Capitols to a 49–11 record in the 1946–47 BAA season, including a 17-game winning streak.