Red Auerbach’s Successor

Retiring Head Coach Red Auerbach made history in 1966 when he announced that Bill Russell would take over, making Russell the first Black head coach in the history of the NBA and of any major American professional sports team. “I wasn’t offered the job because I am a Negro,” Russell later said. “I was offered it because Red figured I could do it.” Russell proved that was the case by leading the Celtics to another two NBA World Championship titles in three seasons as player-coach.