1. Overview
William Charles Fitch (May 19, 1932 - February 2, 2022) was an American professional basketball coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely recognized for his ability to develop struggling teams into formidable playoff contenders, marking a significant impact on the sport. His career culminated in an NBA championship win with the Boston Celtics in 1981. Fitch also received the prestigious NBA Coach of the Year Award twice, in 1976 and 1980. Beyond his professional achievements, he coached college basketball at various institutions, including the University of Minnesota, Bowling Green State University, the University of North Dakota, and his alma mater, Coe College. In 2013, he was honored with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2019, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also recognized as one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History. He was also portrayed by Christopher Gerhman in the series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Throughout his extensive 25-year NBA coaching career, Fitch amassed a regular season record of 944 wins and 1,106 losses across 2,050 games, with a playoff record of 55 wins and 54 losses in 109 games.
2. Early Life and Education
William Charles Fitch's early life and educational journey laid the foundation for his distinguished career in basketball.
2.1. Early Life
William Charles Fitch was born on May 19, 1932, in Davenport, Iowa. He attended Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he demonstrated exceptional talent and excelled in basketball.
2.2. College Years
Fitch pursued his higher education at Coe College, attending from 1950 to 1954. During his time there, he was a dual-sport athlete, participating in both basketball and baseball. He successfully graduated in 1954, earning a degree in physical education.
3. Coaching Career
Bill Fitch's coaching career spanned several decades, beginning at the collegiate level before a long and impactful tenure as a head coach in the NBA, where he became known for transforming teams.
3.1. College Coaching
Fitch began his coaching journey in the college ranks, where he honed his skills and achieved notable success before transitioning to the professional league.
3.1.1. Creighton (1956-1958)
Fitch started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Creighton University, serving in this capacity from 1956 to 1958.
3.1.2. Coe (1958-1962)
Following his time at Creighton, Fitch returned to his alma mater, Coe College, where he took on the role of head coach from 1958 to 1962.
3.1.3. North Dakota (1962-1967)
From 1962 to 1967, Fitch led the basketball program at the University of North Dakota. During his tenure, he guided the team to three appearances in the NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament, including a significant run to the Final Four in 1966.
3.1.4. Bowling Green (1967-1968)
Fitch spent a single season, 1967-1968, as the head coach of Bowling Green. In that season, his team, the Bowling Green Falcons, achieved an 18-7 record overall and a 10-2 record in conference play, winning the Mid-American Conference title. This success earned them a spot in the 1968 NCAA University Division basketball tournament.
3.1.5. Minnesota (1968-1970)
Fitch coached the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the University of Minnesota for two seasons, from 1968 to 1970. Under his guidance, the team recorded season records of 12-12 and 13-11 respectively.
3.2. NBA Coaching
Bill Fitch made his most significant mark as a head coach in the NBA, leading multiple franchises and achieving an NBA championship.
3.2.1. Cleveland Cavaliers (1970-1979)
On March 19, 1970, Bill Fitch was appointed as the first head coach of the expansion Cleveland Cavaliers for their inaugural 1970-71 season. The team's debut season saw them finish with a 15-67 record, a low point not matched until the 1981-82 season. Over his initial years, the Cavaliers showed gradual improvement, reaching 32 wins in his third season, though they still finished last in the Central Division for his first four years. Fitch also served as the Cavaliers' general manager from 1973 to 1979.
A significant turnaround occurred in his fifth season, 1974-75, when the Cavaliers won 40 games and secured a third-place finish, their first time avoiding last place. By this point, the team was led by its top draft pick from 1971, Austin Carr, who had become the leading scorer. However, a serious knee injury to Carr hindered the team's playoff aspirations that season.
The peak of his tenure with Cleveland came in the 1975-76 season, known as "The Miracle of Richfield." This fabled team, led by captain Austin Carr, scoring small forward Campy Russell, shooting guard Bobby "Bingo" Smith, and a supporting cast that included starting center Jim Chones and veteran Nate Thurmond, achieved a franchise-record 49 wins and won the Central Division title. They advanced in the playoffs by defeating the Washington Bullets in seven games, before being eliminated by the Boston Celtics in six games in the Conference Finals. This series was notably impacted by Jim Chones' broken foot sustained in practice two days before the finals. For his outstanding coaching performance, Fitch was awarded his first NBA Coach of the Year Award at the end of this season. The Cavaliers did not win another playoff series until 1992.
Fitch led the team to two more playoff berths following this successful season, though they were unable to win either series. After a 30-52 record in the 1978-79 season, he resigned from his position on May 21, 1979.
3.2.2. Boston Celtics (1979-1983)
Just two days after his resignation from the Cavaliers, on May 23, 1979, Bill Fitch was hired by the Boston Celtics, succeeding Dave Cowens, who had served as a player-coach with a 29-53 record the previous season. Fitch's first season with the Celtics, the 1979-80, coincided with the debut of rookie Larry Bird. Fitch, a former drill instructor in the United States Marine Corps, was known for his intense practices and strict discipline, which Bird himself lauded. Fitch quickly transformed the team, leading the Celtics to 61 wins and an Atlantic Division title. In the playoffs, they were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers in five games in the Conference Finals. Following this impressive turnaround, Fitch earned his second NBA Coach of the Year Award.
His second season, the 1980-81, proved even more successful. The Celtics drafted Kevin McHale and acquired Robert Parish through a trade with the Golden State Warriors. Under Fitch's guidance, the team secured 62 wins and a second consecutive Atlantic Division title. Their dominant performance culminated in a six-game victory over the Houston Rockets in the 1981 NBA Finals, bringing Boston its first NBA championship since 1976.
Fitch continued his success in the 1981-82 season, leading the Celtics to a third consecutive Atlantic Division title with 63 wins. However, they again fell short in the Conference Finals, losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in a demanding seven-game series. The 1982-83 team saw a slight decline in wins, finishing with 56 and placing second in the Atlantic Division. They were subsequently defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in four games in the Conference Semi-finals. On May 27, 1983, Fitch resigned from the Celtics, citing the impending sale of the team by Harry T. Mangurian Jr. due to difficulties with Delaware North, the owners of the Boston Garden, as the decisive factor, despite having three years remaining on his contract.
3.2.3. Houston Rockets (1983-1988)
Bill Fitch was appointed head coach of the Houston Rockets on June 1, 1983, taking over from Del Harris after the team had managed only 14 wins the previous season. The 1983-84 Houston Rockets season also marked the rookie season of future star Ralph Sampson. Under Fitch, the team improved to 29 wins. The following season, 1984-85, saw the Rockets draft Hakeem Olajuwon, and the team responded with 48 wins, securing a playoff berth where they were ultimately defeated by the Utah Jazz in five games.
His third season, 1985-86, was his most successful with the Rockets. They won the Midwest Division title and clinched the Western Conference title by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. This set up a NBA Finals clash with Fitch's former team, the Boston Celtics, where the Rockets were defeated in six games. Fitch's subsequent two seasons with the Rockets resulted in playoff appearances, but the team did not advance beyond the Conference Semi-finals. Fitch was fired from his position on June 6, 1988.
3.2.4. New Jersey Nets (1989-1992)
On August 21, 1989, Bill Fitch became the head coach of the New Jersey Nets, replacing Willis Reed, who had posted a 26-56 record in the previous season. The team immediately began a rebuilding process, acquiring players like Sam Bowie on draft day. However, the Nets struggled significantly in Fitch's first season, finishing with a 17-65 record, which was the fewest wins for the franchise since joining the NBA.
Fitch gradually improved the team's performance by adding key players such as Derrick Coleman, Dražen Petrović, and Terry Mills. These acquisitions helped the Nets secure a playoff berth in the 1991-92 New Jersey Nets season. Despite a losing record of 40-42, they qualified as the sixth seed in the 14-team Eastern Conference. In the First Round of the playoffs, they faced Fitch's former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and lost the series in four games. Fitch resigned as the Nets' coach on May 12, 1992.
3.2.5. Los Angeles Clippers (1994-1998)
Bill Fitch was hired by the Los Angeles Clippers on July 28, 1994, succeeding Bob Weiss, who had recorded a 27-55 record the previous year. Over his four seasons with the Clippers, Fitch faced the challenge of turning around a franchise that had been in a downward spiral since their consecutive playoff appearances in 1992 and 1993.
Despite the team's struggles, Fitch did lead them to one playoff berth in the 1996-97 season. This was the last playoff appearance for the Clippers until 2006. The team qualified for the playoffs despite a 36-46 record, securing their spot by just two games. They were, however, swept in the First Round by the Utah Jazz. The following season, 1997-98, proved to be a disastrous one, with the team finishing 17-65, matching their worst record from the 1994-95 season. Two days after the conclusion of the season, Fitch was fired on April 20, 1998.
During his tenure with the Clippers, Fitch reached 1,106 career losses, setting an NBA record for the most losses by a coach. This record stood for five years until Lenny Wilkens surpassed it during the 2002-03 NBA season while coaching the Toronto Raptors. Wilkens ultimately retired with 1,155 losses.
4. Achievements and Honors
Bill Fitch received numerous accolades and honors throughout his distinguished coaching career, recognizing his significant contributions to basketball.
His most notable achievement was leading the Boston Celtics to the 1981 NBA Championship. He was twice awarded the NBA Coach of the Year Award, first in 1976 for his work with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and again in 1980 during his time with the Celtics.
In 1996, Fitch was recognized as one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History, an honor commemorating the NBA's 50th anniversary. He received the prestigious Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, a testament to his enduring impact on the sport. In a culmination of his career, Bill Fitch was officially elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. Further solidifying his legacy, in 2016, the Hall of Fame honored Fitch with an honorary bench, encircling a statue of James Naismith, a tribute made possible through a 150.00 K USD donation by coach Rick Carlisle.
5. Death
William Charles Fitch passed away on February 2, 2022, at the age of 89. He died in Lake Conroe, Texas.
6. Legacy and Evaluation
Bill Fitch's legacy in basketball is marked by his transformative coaching abilities, discipline, and commitment to player development, though his career also saw a significant number of losses.
6.1. Influence and Positive Evaluation
Bill Fitch's positive influence on basketball is undeniable. He was widely regarded as a coach who could take struggling or expansion teams and mold them into competitive units, often leading them to significant improvements and playoff contention. His disciplined approach, reportedly influenced by his background as a former drill instructor in the United States Marine Corps, instilled a strong work ethic in his players, as praised by future Hall of Famer Larry Bird. Fitch played a pivotal role in the development of key players, including Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish in Boston, and later Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston, guiding them to reach their full potential. His ability to build cohesive and successful teams is highlighted by the 1981 NBA Championship he won with the Celtics, a testament to his coaching prowess and strategic vision. His induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and recognition as one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History unequivocally affirm his lasting positive impact and esteemed place in the sport's history.
6.2. Criticism and Controversies
Despite his significant achievements, Bill Fitch's coaching career also faced criticism, primarily due to the sheer volume of losses accumulated over his tenure. During his 25 years as an NBA head coach, Fitch recorded 1,106 losses, a record that stood as the most by any coach in NBA history for five years before it was surpassed by Lenny Wilkens. While this high number of losses is often a consequence of being hired to rebuild failing teams, it remains a notable statistical point of his career. However, this statistical record does not overshadow his overall impact, including his ability to elevate franchises and secure an NBA championship.
7. Head Coaching Record
7.1. NBA
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W-L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW-L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 1970-71 | 82 | 15 | 67 | .183 | 4th in Central | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| Cleveland | 1971-72 | 82 | 23 | 59 | .280 | 4th in Central | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| Cleveland | 1972-73 | 82 | 32 | 50 | .390 | 4th in Central | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| Cleveland | 1973-74 | 82 | 29 | 53 | .354 | 4th in Central | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| Cleveland | 1974-75 | 82 | 40 | 42 | .488 | 3rd in Central | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| Cleveland | 1975-76 | 82 | 49 | 33 | .598 | 1st in Central | 13 | 6 | 7 | .462 | Lost in Conf. Finals |
| Cleveland | 1976-77 | 82 | 43 | 39 | .524 | 4th in Central | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | Lost in First round |
| Cleveland | 1977-78 | 82 | 43 | 39 | .524 | 3rd in Central | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost in First round |
| Cleveland | 1978-79 | 82 | 30 | 52 | .366 | 4th in Central | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| Boston | 1979-80 | 82 | 61 | 21 | .744 | 1st in Atlantic | 9 | 5 | 4 | .556 | Lost in Conf. Finals |
| Boston | 1980-81 | 82 | 62 | 20 | .756 | 1st in Atlantic | 17 | 12 | 5 | .706 | Won NBA Championship |
| Boston | 1981-82 | 82 | 63 | 19 | .768 | 1st in Atlantic | 12 | 7 | 5 | .583 | Lost in Conf. Finals |
| Boston | 1982-83 | 82 | 56 | 26 | .683 | 2nd in Atlantic | 7 | 2 | 5 | .286 | Lost in Conf. Semi-finals |
| Houston | 1983-84 | 82 | 29 | 53 | .354 | 6th in Midwest | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| Houston | 1984-85 | 82 | 48 | 34 | .585 | 2nd in Midwest | 5 | 2 | 3 | .400 | Lost in First round |
| Houston | 1985-86 | 82 | 51 | 31 | .622 | 1st in Midwest | 20 | 13 | 7 | .650 | Lost in NBA Finals |
| Houston | 1986-87 | 82 | 42 | 40 | .512 | 3rd in Midwest | 10 | 5 | 5 | .500 | Lost in Conf. Semi-finals |
| Houston | 1987-88 | 82 | 46 | 36 | .561 | 4th in Midwest | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 | Lost in First round |
| New Jersey | 1989-90 | 82 | 17 | 65 | .207 | 6th in Atlantic | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| New Jersey | 1990-91 | 82 | 26 | 56 | .317 | 5th in Atlantic | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| New Jersey | 1991-92 | 82 | 40 | 42 | .488 | 3rd in Atlantic | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 | Lost in First round |
| L.A. Clippers | 1994-95 | 82 | 17 | 65 | .207 | 7th in Pacific | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| L.A. Clippers | 1995-96 | 82 | 29 | 53 | .354 | 7th in Pacific | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| L.A. Clippers | 1996-97 | 82 | 36 | 46 | .439 | 5th in Pacific | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 | Lost in First round |
| L.A. Clippers | 1997-98 | 82 | 17 | 65 | .207 | 7th in Pacific | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
| Career | 2,050 | 944 | 1,106 | .460 | 109 | 55 | 54 | .505 |