Hall of Fame Coach Bill Fitch Dies, Led Celtics To ’81 Title
Feb 3, 2022, 3:11 PM
Head coach Bill Fitch of the Boston Celtics talks with his players while there's a time out during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Bullets circa 1980 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Fitch coached the Celtics from 1979-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Bill Fitch, who guided the Boston Celtics to one of their championships during a Hall of Fame coaching career, has died.
He was 89.
A two-time NBA coach of the year, Fitch died Wednesday in Lake Conroe, Texas.
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Fitch’s daughter, Marcy Ann Coville, said he was surrounded by family.
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
No cause of death was given.
Fitch coached for 25 seasons in the NBA, starting with the expansion Cleveland Cavaliers in 1970.
He was Larry Bird’s first pro coach with Boston, later won a title with the Celtics in 1981 and spent time with Houston, New Jersey and the Los Angeles Clippers before retiring in 1998.
He was elected to the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
