Brief Biography of Red Auerbach and His Career

Red Auerbach was born on September 20, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York. After a successful high school basketball career Auerbach went to George Washington University to play basketball. After a good college career, Auerbach got his first coaching job at a high school. Auerbach's first professional basketball coaching job came with the Washington Capitols of the NBA.

He coached the Capitols from 1946-1949. Auerbach's first season coaching in the NBA was a great one as he led his team to a record of 49-11. After his time with the Capitols, Auerbach decided to take his coaching skills elsewhere and coach for the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, also of the NBA. Auerbach only coached the Blackhawks for one season before joining up with his beloved Boston Celtics. During each of his first 10 seasons coaching in Boston, Auerbach led the Celtics to a division title. It seemed like he had found his niche in the NBA.

Auerbach coached the Boston Celtics for 16 great seasons and won nine NBA Titles with the team. He won 67 percent of the games that he coached for the Celtics. After his 16 years of being head coach, Auerbach decided to make the move to administration. He became the President of the Boston Celtics and from this position, he won seven more NBA Titles.

Auerbach is very well known for his ability to scout raw talent and turn a bunch of good players into an extremely successful team. Perhaps the biggest move that Auerbach ever made was to acquire Bill Russell through a trade. Bill Russell would go on to change the face of the Celtic's franchise and become arguably the games greatest player. Auerbach was also known for his wise moves when injuries hurt his team by adding key role players and signing new stars. Auerbach was also responsible for drafting the player who some say may be the greatest to ever play the game; Larry Bird.

Auerbach's coaching style was not complicated. He did not enjoy breaking each and every aspect of the game down and making it complicated. He believed in making the game of basketball simple and developing solid fundamentals. He allowed his players to play very freely and this may be why they were so successful.

Red Auerbach is widely considered to be the greatest coach of all time in the NBA. His record is unprecedented and his 16 NBA Titles is a number that will likely never be beaten.

Red Auerbach died of a heart attack on October 28, 2006. This was a sad day not only for the Boston Celtics and their fans, but for the entire NBA. Auerbach and his accomplishments will never be forgotten.