Red Auerbach

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Lore & Background

Auerbach's influence extended far beyond the court, fundamentally changing the racial landscape of professional basketball. In 1950, he drafted Chuck Cooper, marking the first time an African-American player entered the NBA. He continued this legacy in 1965 by introducing the first all-African-American starting five, featuring Bill Russell, Willie Naulls, Tom Sanders, Sam Jones, and K.C. Jones. His most historic personnel move came in 1966 when he stepped down as head coach to hire Bill Russell as the league's first African-American head coach. Auerbach also revolutionized team dynamics by popularizing the role of the sixth man, utilizing players like Frank Ramsey and John Havlicek to maintain high intensity off the bench. His coaching philosophy prioritized defense and conditioning over individual scoring, a strategy that forced opponents into low-percentage shots while fueling his own fast-break offense.

In Their Own Story

The 1956 NBA draft stands as a pivotal turning point in franchise history. Before securing Bill Russell via a trade with the St. Louis Hawks, Auerbach famously snubbed future Hall of Famer Bob Cousy, dismissing him as lacking poise and calling him a "local yokel." Instead, he selected Chuck Share first overall and used his second-round pick on Chuck Cooper, breaking the color barrier in professional basketball. By the 1960s, Auerbach had assembled a core that included Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, and K.C. Jones, emphasizing team play over individual stardom. This approach allowed the Celtics to dominate from 1957 to 1966, winning nine of ten titles and securing six victories against the Los Angeles Lakers' stars Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. The dynasty even denied Wilt Chamberlain a championship during Auerbach's coaching reign. When the final buzzer sounded on these victories, Auerbach would light his signature cigar, a ritual that signaled to rivals that the title was already secured.

Reader's Guide

Fans of the Celtics must understand that Red Auerbach's legacy is built on specific, record-setting achievements recognized by the Basketball Hall of Fame and beyond. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969 and named the greatest coach in NBA history by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America in 1980. That same year, he received the NBA Executive of the Year award. His number 2 jersey is retired at TD Garden, honoring his service from 1950 until his death in 2006 at age 89. Auerbach's journey began in Brooklyn, where his fiery temper and red hair earned him the nickname "Red." He developed the fast break technique during his college years at George Washington University before coaching high school teams and serving as a Navy officer from 1943 to 1946. His career trajectory took him through the Washington Capitols and Tri-Cities Blackhawks before he found permanent success in Boston, where he served in multiple executive roles until the end of his life.

Did You Know?

• Auerbach coached Bill Russell, who became the NBA's first African-American head coach in 1966.
• He holds an NBA coaching record of 938 wins upon his retirement from coaching in 1966.
• In 1950, he drafted Chuck Cooper, the NBA's first African-American player, using a second-round pick.
• Auerbach served as general manager of the Celtics from 1966 to 1984 before becoming team president.
• His nickname "Red" came from his distinctive flaming red hair and fiery temper.