Hall of Fame coach Bill Fitch, who led Celtics to NBA title, dead at 89 WSOC TV

Posted by Abbie Anker on Friday, May 17, 2024

Hall of Famer Bill Fitch, whose 25-year career as an NBA head coach included a title with the Boston Celtics in 1981, died Wednesday. He was 89.

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The NBA announced Fitch’s death on Thursday, along with the NBA Coaches Association.

“The NBA mourns the passing of Hall of Fame coach Bill Fitch, an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and a two-time Coach of the Year,” the league posted on Twitter. “Bill served 25 seasons as an NBA head coach and mentored countless players and coaches. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”

The NBA mourns the passing of Hall of Fame coach Bill Fitch, an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and a two-time Coach of the Year. Bill served 25 seasons as an NBA head coach and mentored countless players and coaches. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/39TOkCTOwQ

— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2022

Fitch was the NBA’s coach of the year in 1976 and 1980, ESPN reported. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

The Davenport, Iowa, native had a 944-1,106 record and led his teams to the playoffs 13 times, the sports network reported.

Fitch’s daughter, Marcy Ann Coville, told Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle her father died in Lake Conroe, Texas, according to ESPN. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Fitch was chosen as one of the top 10 coaches in league history in 1996-97 balloting that marked the NBA’s 50th anniversary, The New York Times reported.

The NBCA joins the @NBA family in mourning the passing of longtime Coach, Bill Fitch. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Fitch family during this very difficult time. pic.twitter.com/CdB1SmXC93

— NBA Coaches Assoc. (@NBA_Coaches) February 3, 2022

The Celtics hired Fitch after coming off of a 29-win season in 1979 and after having “experienced the two worst seasons in the team’s history,” WFXT-TV reported, citing a statement from the team.

“But a promising rookie named Larry Bird was set to arrive, and Red Auerbach knew the franchise was at a critical crossroads. He decided to hire Bill Fitch as the head coach, and as was so often the case, Red made the right call,” according to the statement. “Fitch’s deep knowledge of the game, toughness and dry wit made him a perfect fit for Boston and the Celtics.”

Fitch put a charge into the Celtics, leading them to a 61-21 record and a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals, WFTX reported. That led to Fitch’s NBA Coach of the Year honor. At the time, it was the best turnaround in NBA history.

Fitch guided the Celtics to 62 wins in 1980-81, beating the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals for Bird’s first championship and Fitch’s only crown, ESPN reported.

Fitch made his NBA coaching debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1970 and watched the expansion team lose its first 15 games, the Times reported.

But by Fitch’s sixth season in Cleveland, the Cavaliers (49-33) won the Central Division title and took the “Miracle of Richfield” team to the second round of the playoffs. That earned Fitch his first Coach of the Year Award, the newspaper reported.

In nine seasons with the Cavaliers, Fitch went 304-434, The Plain Dealer reported.

After four seasons with Boston, Fitch joined the Rockets in 1983. He led the squad to the NBA Finals in 1986, falling to the Celtics. Fitch joined the New Jersey Nets in 1989 and won only 16 games, but led the team to the 1992 playoffs. In 1994, Fitch took over the Clippers and led them to the playoffs in 1997.

“Bill Fitch was as much of a student of the game of basketball as he was a skillful teacher,” John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, said in a statement. “His vast knowledge of the game spoke volumes towards his unwavering dedication to always finding a way for both him and his player to continue to get better.”

The Cavaliers organization mourns the loss of former head coach Bill Fitch, the first and longest tenured coach in franchise history.

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 3, 2022

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