Red Auerbach 9 Championships as Coach/Executive
Red Auerbach: 16 NBA titles, 8 as coach, pioneer of integration and fast-break basketball.
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 won a combined 16 NBA titles in his long career with the Celtics, the most of any individual, making him one of the most successful team officials in the history of North American professional sports. He served as president of the Celtics until his death in 2006 at the age of 89.
- Role
- Head Coach / General Manager
- Team
- Boston Celtics
- Championships
- 9
- Era
- 1950s-1960s
- Legacy Status
- Hall of Fame
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. After Auerbach stepped down as coach, the Celtics won two titles (1968, 1969) under Russell's leadership.
In Their Own Story
The roar of the crowd began to fade, replaced by the chaotic symphony of celebration. Amidst the sweat and shouting players, Red Auerbach stood unnervingly composed in his dark suit. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he pulled a cigar from his pocket—the universal signal that Boston had won again. As champagne corks popped and confetti rained down, he struck a match, the flame illuminating his stoic face before he exhaled a slow, triumphant plume of smoke toward the rafters. There were no grand speeches needed; the trophy on the table said it all. In that hazy, jubilant moment, surrounded by the men who made history, Red knew this wasn't just another victory—it was another brick in an empire that would stand forever.
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 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 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1940 and a Master of Education in 1941.
- Auerbach served in the U.S. Navy from June 1943 to October 1946 as a Rehabilitation and Physical Training officer.
- He coached the Washington Capitols to a 49–11 record in the 1946–47 BAA season, including a 17-game winning streak.
- Auerbach drafted Chuck Cooper in 1950, the first African-American player drafted into the NBA.
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