Springfield, Mass. (Feb. 3, 2022) – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates the life and mourns the passing of legendary coach Bill Fitch. Enshrined as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019, Mr. Fitch has passed away at the age of 89.
“Bill Fitch was as much of a student of the game of basketball as he was a skillful teacher,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “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. He served as a mentor to innumerous players and coaches around the league who continue to carry on his legacy of greatness. He will be tremendously missed by the entire Hall of Fame family.”
The son of a Marine, and a coach’s coach if there ever was one, Fitch always seemed to enjoy his greatest success when the deck was stacked against him. Fitch arrived in the NBA in 1970 as the first coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise. Fitch loved a challenge, and with the Cavaliers, the young coach turned an expansion franchise into a playoff contender. Fitch was constantly tinkering, analyzing and finding new ways to get the most out of his players and was known by many as “Captain Video” for his affinity towards studying game film. Following his stint in Cleveland, Fitch moved onto the Boston Celtics where he won the NBA Finals in 1981 in just his second season with the team, proving to be the crowning achievement in his coaching career. In total, he spent 25 years in the NBA as a head coach with the Cavaliers (1970-79), Celtics (1979-1983), Houston Rockets (1983-88), New Jersey Nets (1989-1992) and LA Clippers (1994-98).
He received several accolades throughout his storied career, including being a two-time NBA Coach of the Year Award recipient (1976, ’80), a NBA All-Star Game head coach (1982) and was named to the Top Ten Coaches of All Time list as part of the NBA’s league-wide celebration of its 50th anniversary in 1996.
Born in 1932, the Iowa native helped direct his teams to the NBA Playoffs 13 times in his 25 seasons. In addition to his time in professional basketball, he also coached collegiately at Minnesota, Bowling Green, North Dakota and his alma mater, Coe College.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame Museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame Museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall @hoophallclassic or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.