Bill Fitch: Difference between revisions

Bill Fitch
Personal information
Born	May 19, 1932; Davenport, Iowa, U.S.
Died	February 2, 2022 (aged 89); Lake Conroe, Texas, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school	Wilson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
College	Coe (1950–1954)
Coaching career	1956–1998
Career history
As coach:
1956–1958	Creighton (assistant)
1958–1962	Coe
1962–1967	North Dakota
1967–1968	Bowling Green
1968–1970	Minnesota
1970–1979	Cleveland Cavaliers
1979–1983	Boston Celtics
1983–1988	Houston Rockets
1989–1992	New Jersey Nets
1994–1998	Los Angeles Clippers
Career highlights and awards
	As head coach: NBA champion (1981); 2× NBA Coach of the Year Award (1976, 1980); NBA All-Star Game head coach (1982); Top 10 Coaches in NBA History; Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award (2013);
Career coaching record
NBA	944–1106 (.460)
	Record at Basketball Reference
	Basketball Hall of Fame

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William Charles Fitch (May 19, 1932 – February 2, 2022) was an American professional basketball coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He developed multiple teams into playoff contenders and won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 1981. Before entering the professional ranks, he coached college basketball at the University of Minnesota, Bowling Green State University, the University of North Dakota, and his alma mater, Coe College. Fitch's teams twice qualified for the NCAA tournament. He won the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013,^[1] and was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.^[2] Christopher Gerhman portrayed him in Winning Time.^[3]

Early life

William Charles Fitch was born on May 19, 1932, in Davenport, Iowa. He attended Wilson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he excelled in basketball.

College career

Fitch attended Coe College from 1950 to 1954.

Coaching career

Creighton (1956–1958)

Fitch was an assistant coach at Creighton from 1956 to 1958.

Coe (1958–1962)

Fitch coached Coe from 1958 to 1962.

North Dakota (1962–1967)

Fitch led North Dakota to three NCAA Division II men's basketball tournaments, including a Final Four appearance in 1966.

Bowling Green (1967–1968)

At Fitch's only season with Bowling Green, the Falcons reached the 1968 NCAA University Division basketball tournament after winning the Mid-American Conference title with an 18–7 record and 10–2 in conference play.

Minnesota (1968–1970)

In Fitch's two seasons at Minnesota, Fitch coached the Golden Gophers to 12–12 and 13–11.^[4]

Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979)

Fitch was the first head coach hired by the expansion Cleveland Cavaliers on March 19, 1970, for their inaugural 1970–71 season. In that season, the Cavaliers went 15–67.^[2] The Cavaliers did not have a season as bad as that one until the 1981–82 season, which also garnered 15 wins. The team gradually rose in wins for the next two years, winning 32 in his third season, although they slipped slightly the following year. In his first four years, they finished last each time in the Central Division.^[5]

His fifth season (1974–75) resulted in marked improvement as the Cavs won 40 games while finishing third, their first season without a last-place finish. By this point, the team had a clear leader in its #1 draft pick from 1971, Austin Carr. He had become the leading scorer for the team, but a serious knee injury curtailed Cleveland's hopes for a playoff berth.^[6]

The following season of 1975–76 was the pinnacle of his career with Cleveland. The team, now fabled as "The Miracle of Richfield", was led by team captain Carr, scoring small forward Campy Russell, shooting guard Bobby "Bingo" Smith, and a supporting cast of largely unknown players such as starting center Jim Chones, and an aging Nate Thurmond. The team won 49 games (a team record for 13 seasons) and the Central Division title.^[6] They defeated the Washington Bullets in seven games to advance to the Conference Finals, where they were defeated in six games by the Boston Celtics, with Chones being sidelined by a broken foot in practice two days before the conference finals.^[7] The Cavaliers did not win another playoff series until 1992. Fitch was awarded the NBA Coach of the Year Award at the end of the season.^[8]

Fitch led the team to two more playoff berths, although they did not win either series.^[6] After a 30–52 record for the 1978–79 season, he resigned on May 21, 1979.^[2]

Boston Celtics (1979–1983)

On May 23, 1979, Fitch was hired by the Boston Celtics, taking over for Dave Cowens, who had coached them to a 29–53 record as a player-coach the previous season.^[9] His first season in 1979–80 was also the first for Larry Bird. A former drill instructor in the U. S. Marine Corps,^[10] the coach was lauded by Bird for his intense practices and discipline.^[11] Fitch helped lead the Celtics to 61 wins along with an Atlantic Division title. In the playoffs that year, the Celtics were defeated in the Conference Finals to the Philadelphia 76ers in five games. Fitch won his second Coach of the Year Award after the season.^[12]

In his second season, the Celtics drafted Kevin McHale and acquired Robert Parish, both through a trade with the Golden State Warriors. Fitch's team won 62 games along with a second Atlantic title. They went on to beat the Houston Rockets in six games to win the 1981 NBA Finals, Boston's first title since 1976.^[13]

Fitch led the Celtics to a third consecutive Atlantic Division title in 1981–82 while winning 63 games, although the team lost in the Conference Finals to the 76ers in seven games. The 1982–83 team dropped in wins (from 63 to 56) while finishing second in the Atlantic Division, and were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in four games. On May 27, 1983, he resigned from the Celtics.^[14] Fitch cited Harry T. Mangurian Jr.'s announcement that he was selling the team due to difficulties with Delaware North (the owners of the Boston Garden) as the last straw, despite Fitch having three years left on his contract.^[15]

Houston Rockets (1983–1988)

On June 1, 1983, Fitch was hired by the Houston Rockets, taking over for Del Harris, who had managed the team to 14 wins the previous season.^[2] The 1983–84 Houston Rockets season also happened to be the first season with Ralph Sampson on the team. The team won 29 games that season. The next season was the season in which the Rockets drafted Hakeem Olajuwon, and the team responded with 48 wins and a playoff berth, although they were beaten in five games by the Utah Jazz.^[2] His third season was his best season with the team as they won the Midwest Division title along with the Western Conference title after beating the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.^[2] They met Fitch's old team, the Celtics. Boston beat the team in six games to win the Finals.^[8]^[2] Fitch's following two seasons led to playoff berths, although they did not advance past the Conference Semi-finals. Fitch was fired on June 6, 1988.^[16]

New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)

On August 21, 1989, Fitch was hired by the New Jersey Nets, replacing Willis Reed, who had gone 26–56 the previous season.^[17] The team acquired Sam Bowie on draft day in order to try and start a rebuilding process, although the team went 17–65 for the season, the fewest wins for the Nets since joining the NBA.^[18] Fitch gradually raised the team up, acquiring Derrick Coleman, Dražen Petrović, and Terry Mills helping the team qualify for a playoff berth in the 1991–92 New Jersey Nets season.^[18] The team went to the playoffs with a losing record of 40–42, sixth-best in the 14 team Eastern Conference. They lost in the First Round to Fitch's old team, the Cavaliers in four games. On May 12, 1992, he resigned as coach of the team.^[18]

Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)

On July 28, 1994, Fitch was hired by the Los Angeles Clippers, replacing Bob Weiss, who had gone 27–55 the previous year.^[19] In four seasons with the team, he could not reverse the tide of a franchise that had gone on a downward spiral since making the playoffs in consecutive seasons in 1992 and 1993. However, he led them to a playoff berth once, doing so in the 1996–97 season (the last playoff berth for the team until 2006), although they were swept in the First Round by the Jazz. They made the playoffs despite going 36–46, qualifying by just two games. The following season was a disaster, with the team finishing 17–65, the worst season since finishing with that same record in the 1994–95 season.^[20] Two days after the season ended, Fitch was fired on April 20, 1998.^[20] Fitch's most losses record in NBA history with 1,106 losses a record stood for five years until Lenny Wilkens broke his mark during the 2002–03 season while coaching for the Toronto Raptors. Wilkens' NBA coaching career finished with 1,155 losses after he announced his retirement from coaching on January 22, 2005.^[8]

Fitch coached at four universities: the University of Minnesota, Bowling Green State University, the University of North Dakota, and his alma mater, Coe College.^[21]

During his 25-year pro coaching career, Fitch was often hired in an attempt to improve failing teams. Although Fitch currently ranks tenth among NBA coaches in all-time number of victories (with 944), he is also ranked second in all-time losses (with 1,106) behind Lenny Wilkens.^[8] In 1996, Fitch was named one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History.^[21] In 2016, Fitch was honored with an honorary bench by the Hall of Fame, which surrounds a statue of James Naismith along with other granite benches in honor of great coaches, all made possible through a $150,000 donation by Rick Carlisle.^[22]

Personal life and death

Fitch was born in Davenport, Iowa, on May 19, 1932.^[22] He attended Coe College, where he played basketball and baseball and graduated in 1954 with a degree in physical education.^[23]

Fitch died in Lake Conroe, Texas, on February 2, 2022, at the age of 89.^[12]^[24]

Head coaching record

NBA

Legend
Regular season	G	Games coached	W	Games won	L	Games lost	W–L %	Win–loss %
Playoffs	PG	Playoff games	PW	Playoff wins	PL	Playoff losses	PW–L %	Playoff win–loss %


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

Source:^[25]

References

^ "Bill Fitch wins Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Kasabian, Paul (February 3, 2022). "Hall of Fame Celtics Coach Bill Fitch Dies at Age 89". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (TV Series 2022–2023) - IMDb". IMDb.
^ "Bill Fitch Coaching Record". Sports Reference. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "Cleveland Cavaliers". Sports Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c Nason, Gerry (April 3, 2013). "Cavs Flashback: Austin Carr – Cavs Legend". Fansided. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "A look at notable NBA playoff injuries".
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Feldman, Dan (February 3, 2022). "Legendary coach Bill Fitch dies at 89". MSN. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ Elderkin, Phil (January 4, 1980). "The fantastic turnaround of the Boston Celtics". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ Charley Rosen. "True tales from the camp fires". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006. Retrieved December 22, 2006.
^ Bird, Larry; Ryan, Bob (1989). Larry Bird: Drive: The Story of my Life. Doubleday. pp. 76–77. ISBN 9780385249218. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Goldstein, Richard (February 3, 2022). "Bill Fitch, Who Coached Celtics to the '81 Title, Is Dead at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ Twiss, Jeff. "Championship No. 14 Comes to Boston". Celtics.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "Fitch, in Surprise, Quits the Celtics". The New York Times. May 28, 1983.
^ Johnson, Roy S. (May 26, 1986). "Fitch Finds Old Habits Hard to Break". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "Houston Rockets Fire Bill Fitch". LA Times. June 6, 1988. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "Nets to name Fitch new coach". UPI. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Fitch quits to end Nets' turbulent season". UPI. May 12, 1992. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "Clippers name Fitch coach". UPI. July 28, 1994. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Clippers Fire Coach Bill Fitch". AP. April 20, 1998. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Bill Fitch, Basketball Hall of Famer who led Celtics to NBA title, dies at 89". The Athletic. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Why Rick Carlisle honored Bill Fitch with a bench at the Hall of Fame". April 4, 2016.
^ "Blast from the Past: The 1970-71 Season". NBA.com. July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ Robb, Brian (February 3, 2022). "Bill Fitch dies: Coach of Celtics' 1981 championship team was 89". masslive.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^ "Bill Fitch". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

External links

BasketballReference.com: Bill Fitch

[1] "Bill Fitch wins Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.

[BR1-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Kasabian, Paul (February 3, 2022). "Hall of Fame Celtics Coach Bill Fitch Dies at Age 89". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[3] "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (TV Series 2022–2023) - IMDb". IMDb.

[4] "Bill Fitch Coaching Record". Sports Reference. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[5] "Cleveland Cavaliers". Sports Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[FS1-6] Nason, Gerry (April 3, 2013). "Cavs Flashback: Austin Carr – Cavs Legend". Fansided. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[7] "A look at notable NBA playoff injuries".

[MSN1-8] Feldman, Dan (February 3, 2022). "Legendary coach Bill Fitch dies at 89". MSN. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[9] Elderkin, Phil (January 4, 1980). "The fantastic turnaround of the Boston Celtics". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[10] Charley Rosen. "True tales from the camp fires". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006. Retrieved December 22, 2006.

[11] Bird, Larry; Ryan, Bob (1989). Larry Bird: Drive: The Story of my Life. Doubleday. pp. 76–77. ISBN 9780385249218. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[NYT2-12] Goldstein, Richard (February 3, 2022). "Bill Fitch, Who Coached Celtics to the '81 Title, Is Dead at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[13] Twiss, Jeff. "Championship No. 14 Comes to Boston". Celtics.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[14] "Fitch, in Surprise, Quits the Celtics". The New York Times. May 28, 1983.

[NYT1-15] Johnson, Roy S. (May 26, 1986). "Fitch Finds Old Habits Hard to Break". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[16] "Houston Rockets Fire Bill Fitch". LA Times. June 6, 1988. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[UPI2-17] "Nets to name Fitch new coach". UPI. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[UPI1-18] "Fitch quits to end Nets' turbulent season". UPI. May 12, 1992. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[19] "Clippers name Fitch coach". UPI. July 28, 1994. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[AP1-20] "Clippers Fire Coach Bill Fitch". AP. April 20, 1998. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[TA1-21] "Bill Fitch, Basketball Hall of Famer who led Celtics to NBA title, dies at 89". The Athletic. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[espn.com-22] "Why Rick Carlisle honored Bill Fitch with a bench at the Hall of Fame". April 4, 2016.

[23] "Blast from the Past: The 1970-71 Season". NBA.com. July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[24] Robb, Brian (February 3, 2022). "Bill Fitch dies: Coach of Celtics' 1981 championship team was 89". masslive.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

[25] "Bill Fitch". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|American basketball coach}}
+{{short description|American basketball coach (1932–2022)}}
-{{for multi|the baseball player|Bill Fitch (baseball)|other people with similar names|William Fitch (disambiguation){{!}}William Fitch}}
+{{for-multi|the baseball player|Bill Fitch (baseball)|other people with similar names|William Fitch (disambiguation){{!}}William Fitch}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
 {{Infobox basketball biography
 | name = Bill Fitch
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 | caption =
 | birth_date = {{Birth date|1932|5|19}}
-| birth_place = [[Davenport, Iowa]]
+| birth_place = [[Davenport, Iowa]], U.S.
-| nationality = American
 | death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|2|2|1932|5|19}}
-| death_place = [[Lake Conroe]], Texas
+| death_place = [[Lake Conroe, Texas]], U.S.
 | height_ft = 6
 | height_in = 2
 | weight_lb = 205
 | high_school = Wilson ([[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]])
-| college = [[Coe College#Athletics|Coe]] (1950–1954)
+| college = [[Coe Kohawks men's basketball|Coe]] (1950–1954)
 | coach_start = 1956
 | coach_end = 1998
@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 * [[List of NBA All-Star Game head coaches|NBA All-Star Game head coach]] ({{nasg|1982}})
 * [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History#Top 10 Coaches in NBA History|Top 10 Coaches in NBA History]]
+* [[Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award]] (2013)
 | HOF_coach = bill-fitch
 }}
-'''William Charles Fitch''' (May 19, 1932 – February 2, 2022) was an American professional [[basketball]] head coach in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).  He developed multiple teams into playoff contenders and won an [[NBA championship]] with the [[Boston Celtics]] in 1981. Before entering the professional ranks, he coached [[college basketball]] at the [[University of Minnesota]], [[Bowling Green State University]], the [[University of North Dakota]], and his alma mater, [[Coe College]]. Fitch's teams twice qualified for the NCAA tournament. He won the [[Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award]] in 2013,<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/06/11/chuck-daly-lifetime-achievement-award-bill-fitch/2413651/ Bill Fitch wins Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award]</ref> and was elected to the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 2019.<ref name="BR1"/>
+'''William Charles Fitch''' (May 19, 1932 – February 2, 2022) was an American professional [[basketball]] coach in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).  He developed multiple teams into playoff contenders and won an [[NBA championship]] with the [[Boston Celtics]] in 1981. Before entering the professional ranks, he coached [[college basketball]] at the [[University of Minnesota]], [[Bowling Green State University]], the [[University of North Dakota]], and his alma mater, [[Coe College]]. Fitch's teams twice qualified for the NCAA tournament. He won the [[Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award]] in 2013,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Fitch wins Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award |website=[[USA Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513222659/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/06/11/chuck-daly-lifetime-achievement-award-bill-fitch/2413651/ |archive-date=2022-05-13 |url-status=live |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/06/11/chuck-daly-lifetime-achievement-award-bill-fitch/2413651/}}</ref> and was elected to the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 2019.<ref name="BR1"/> Christopher Gerhman portrayed him in [[Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty|Winning Time]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt10244600/fullcredits/cast | title=Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (TV Series 2022–2023) - IMDb | website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
+==Early life==
-==College coaching career==
+William Charles Fitch was born on May 19, 1932, in [[Davenport, Iowa]]. He attended Wilson in [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]], where he excelled in [[basketball]].
-Fitch coached at four universities: the [[University of Minnesota]], [[Bowling Green State University]], the [[University of North Dakota]], and his alma mater, [[Coe College]].<ref name="TA1"/>
+==College career==
-He led North Dakota to three [[NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament]]s, including a Final Four appearance in [[1966_NCAA_College_Division_Basketball_Tournament|1966]]. At his only season with Bowling Green, the [[Bowling_Green_Falcons|Falcons]] reached the [[1968 NCAA University Division Basketball Tournament]] after winning the [[Mid-American Conference]] title with an 18–7 record and 10–2 in conference play. At his two seasons at Minnesota, Fitch coached the Golden Gophers to 12–12 and 13–11.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/bill-fitch-1.html|title = Bill Fitch Coaching Record|publisher=Sports Reference|accessdate=3 February 2022}}</ref>
+Fitch attended Coe College from 1950 to 1954.
-==Pro coaching career==
+==Coaching career==
+===Creighton (1956–1958)===
-During his 25-year pro coaching career, Fitch was often hired in an attempt to improve failing teams. Although Fitch currently ranks tenth among NBA coaches in all-time number of victories (with 944), he is also ranked second in all-time losses (with 1,106) behind [[Lenny Wilkens]].<ref name="MSN1">{{cite news |last1=Feldman |first1=Dan |title=Legendary coach Bill Fitch dies at 89 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/legendary-coach-bill-fitch-dies-at-89/ar-AATqn3j |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=MSN |date=3 February 2022}}</ref> In 1996, Fitch was named one of the [[Top 10 Coaches in NBA History]].<ref name="TA1">{{cite news |title=Bill Fitch, Basketball Hall of Famer who led Celtics to NBA title, dies at 89 |url=https://theathletic.com/news/bill-fitch-basketball-hall-of-famer-who-led-celtics-to-nba-title-dies-at-89/wnaeJclEzL4Y/ |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=The Athletic |date=3 February 2022}}</ref> In 2016, Fitch was honored with an honorary bench by the Hall of Fame, which surrounds a statue of [[James Naismith]] along with other granite benches in honor of great coaches, all made posdible through a $150,000 donation by [[Rick Carlisle]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15090444/why-rick-carlisle-honored-bill-fitch-bench-hall-fame|title=Why Rick Carlisle honored Bill Fitch with a bench at the Hall of Fame|date=4 April 2016}}</ref>
+Fitch was an assistant coach at Creighton from 1956 to 1958.
-===Cleveland Cavaliers===
+===Coe (1958–1962)===
+Fitch coached Coe from 1958 to 1962.
-Fitch was the first head coach hired by the expansion [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] on March 19, 1970 for their [[1970–71 Cleveland Cavaliers season|inaugural 1970–71 season]]. In that season, the Cavaliers went 15–67.<ref name="BR1">{{cite news |last1=Kasabian |first1=Paul |title=Hall of Fame Celtics Coach Bill Fitch Dies at Age 89 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10025741-hall-of-fame-celtics-coach-bill-fitch-dies-at-age-89 |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=Bleacher Report |date=3 February 2022}}</ref> The Cavaliers did not have a season as bad as that one until the [[1981–82 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1981–82]] season, which also garnered 15 wins. The team gradually rose in wins for the next two years, winning 32 in his third season, although they slipped slightly the following year. In his first four years, they finished last each time in the Central Division.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cleveland Cavaliers |url=https://sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/cleveland/cavs.html |publisher=Sports Encyclopedia |access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref>
+===North Dakota (1962–1967)===
-His fifth season ([[1974-75 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1974–75]]) resulted in marked improvement as the Cavs won 40 games while finishing third, their first season without a last-place finish. By this point, the team had a clear leader in its #1 draft pick from 1971, [[Austin Carr]]. He had become the leading scorer for the team, but a serious knee injury curtailed Cleveland's hopes for a playoff berth.<ref name="FS1">{{cite news |last1=Nason |first1=Gerry |title=Cavs Flashback: Austin Carr – Cavs Legend |url=https://kingjamesgospel.com/2013/07/19/cavs-flashback-austin-carr-cavs-legend/ |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=Fansided |date=3 April 2013}}</ref>
+Fitch led North Dakota to three [[NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament]]s, including a Final Four appearance in [[1966 NCAA College Division basketball tournament|1966]].
+===Bowling Green (1967–1968)===
+At Fitch's only season with Bowling Green, the [[Bowling Green Falcons|Falcons]] reached the [[1968 NCAA University Division basketball tournament]] after winning the [[Mid-American Conference]] title with an 18–7 record and 10–2 in conference play.
+===Minnesota (1968–1970)===
+In Fitch's two seasons at Minnesota, Fitch coached the Golden Gophers to 12–12 and 13–11.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/bill-fitch-1.html|title = Bill Fitch Coaching Record|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
+===Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979)===
+Fitch was the first head coach hired by the expansion [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] on March 19, 1970, for their [[1970–71 Cleveland Cavaliers season|inaugural 1970–71 season]]. In that season, the Cavaliers went 15–67.<ref name="BR1">{{cite news |last1=Kasabian |first1=Paul |title=Hall of Fame Celtics Coach Bill Fitch Dies at Age 89 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10025741-hall-of-fame-celtics-coach-bill-fitch-dies-at-age-89 |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=Bleacher Report |date=February 3, 2022}}</ref> The Cavaliers did not have a season as bad as that one until the [[1981–82 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1981–82]] season, which also garnered 15 wins. The team gradually rose in wins for the next two years, winning 32 in his third season, although they slipped slightly the following year. In his first four years, they finished last each time in the Central Division.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cleveland Cavaliers |url=https://sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/cleveland/cavs.html |publisher=Sports Encyclopedia |access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
+His fifth season ([[1974-75 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1974–75]]) resulted in marked improvement as the Cavs won 40 games while finishing third, their first season without a last-place finish. By this point, the team had a clear leader in its #1 draft pick from 1971, [[Austin Carr]]. He had become the leading scorer for the team, but a serious knee injury curtailed Cleveland's hopes for a playoff berth.<ref name="FS1">{{cite news |last1=Nason |first1=Gerry |title=Cavs Flashback: Austin Carr – Cavs Legend |url=https://kingjamesgospel.com/2013/07/19/cavs-flashback-austin-carr-cavs-legend/ |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=Fansided |date=April 3, 2013}}</ref>
 The following season of [[1975–76 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1975–76]] was the pinnacle of his career with Cleveland. The team, now fabled as "The Miracle of Richfield", was led by team captain Carr, scoring small forward [[Campy Russell]], shooting guard [[Bingo Smith|Bobby "Bingo" Smith]], and a supporting cast of largely unknown players such as starting center [[Jim Chones]], and an aging [[Nate Thurmond]]. The team won 49 games (a team record for 13 seasons) and the Central Division title.<ref name="FS1"/> They defeated the [[Washington Wizards|Washington Bullets]] in seven games to advance to the Conference Finals, where they were defeated in six games by the [[Boston Celtics]], with Chones being sidelined by a broken foot in practice two days before the conference finals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/ohio/gallery/nba-playoffs-derrick-rose-mark-price-isiah-thomas-injuries-050115|title = A look at notable NBA playoff injuries}}</ref> The Cavaliers did not win another playoff series until [[1992 NBA Playoffs|1992]]. Fitch was awarded the [[NBA Coach of the Year Award]] at the end of the season.<ref name="MSN1"/>
@@ Line 67: / Line 82: @@
 Fitch led the team to two more playoff berths, although they did not win either series.<ref name="FS1"/> After a 30–52 record for the [[1978–79 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1978–79 season]], he resigned on May 21, 1979.<ref name="BR1"/>
-===Boston Celtics===
+===Boston Celtics (1979–1983)===
-On May 23, 1979, Fitch was hired by the [[Boston Celtics]], taking over for [[Dave Cowens]], who had coached them to a 29–53 record as a player-coach the previous season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Elderkin |first1=Phil |title=The fantastic turnaround of the Boston Celtics |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1980/0104/010440.html |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=4 January 1980}}</ref> His first season in [[1979–80 Boston Celtics season|1979–80]] was also the first for [[Larry Bird]]. A former [[drill instructor]] in the [[U. S. Marine Corps]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/page2/s/rosen/021009.html|access-date=2006-12-22
+On May 23, 1979, Fitch was hired by the [[Boston Celtics]], taking over for [[Dave Cowens]], who had coached them to a 29–53 record as a player-coach the previous season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Elderkin |first1=Phil |title=The fantastic turnaround of the Boston Celtics |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1980/0104/010440.html |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=January 4, 1980}}</ref> His first season in [[1979–80 Boston Celtics season|1979–80]] was also the first for [[Larry Bird]]. A former [[drill instructor]] in the [[U. S. Marine Corps]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/rosen/021009.html|access-date=December 22, 2006
 |title= True tales from the camp fires|author=Charley Rosen
-|work=ESPN.com| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061220204116/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/rosen/021009.html| archive-date= 20 December 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> the coach was lauded by Bird for his intense practices and discipline.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Larry|last1=Bird|first2=Bob|last2=Ryan|title=Larry Bird: Drive: The Story of my Life|year=1989|publisher=Doubleday|pages=76–77|url=https://archive.org/details/larrybirddrivest00bird/page/76/mode/2up|url-access=registration|access-date=February 3, 2022|isbn=9780385249218}}</ref> Fitch helped lead the Celtics to 61 wins along with an Atlantic Division title. In the playoffs that year, the Celtics were defeated in the Conference Finals to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in five games. Fitch won his second Coach of the Year Award after the season.<ref name="NYT2">{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Richard |title=Bill Fitch, Who Coached Celtics to the '81 Title, Is Dead at 89 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/sports/basketball/bill-fitch-dead.html#:~:text=Fitch%20was%20hired%20as%20the,Fitch's%20Celtics%20won%20the%20N.B.A. |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=New York Times |date=3 February 2022}}</ref>
+|work=ESPN| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061220204116/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/rosen/021009.html| archive-date= December 20, 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> the coach was lauded by Bird for his intense practices and discipline.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Larry|last1=Bird|first2=Bob|last2=Ryan|title=Larry Bird: Drive: The Story of my Life|year=1989|publisher=Doubleday|pages=76–77|url=https://archive.org/details/larrybirddrivest00bird/page/76/mode/2up|url-access=registration|access-date=February 3, 2022|isbn=9780385249218}}</ref> Fitch helped lead the Celtics to 61 wins along with an Atlantic Division title. In the playoffs that year, the Celtics were defeated in the Conference Finals to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in five games. Fitch won his second Coach of the Year Award after the season.<ref name="NYT2">{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Richard |title=Bill Fitch, Who Coached Celtics to the '81 Title, Is Dead at 89 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/sports/basketball/bill-fitch-dead.html#:~:text=Fitch%20was%20hired%20as%20the,Fitch's%20Celtics%20won%20the%20N.B.A. |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
-In his second [[1980–81 Boston Celtics season|season]], the Celtics drafted [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]] and acquired [[Robert Parish]], both through a trade with the [[Golden State Warriors]]. Fitch's team won 62 games along with a second Atlantic title. They went on to beat the [[Houston Rockets]] in six games to win the [[1981 NBA Finals]], Boston's first title since 1976.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Twiss |first1=Jeff |title=Championship No. 14 Comes to Boston |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/history/1981-championship-retrospective.html |publisher=Celtics.com |access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref>
+In his second [[1980–81 Boston Celtics season|season]], the Celtics drafted [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]] and acquired [[Robert Parish]], both through a trade with the [[Golden State Warriors]]. Fitch's team won 62 games along with a second Atlantic title. They went on to beat the [[Houston Rockets]] in six games to win the [[1981 NBA Finals]], Boston's first title since 1976.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Twiss |first1=Jeff |title=Championship No. 14 Comes to Boston |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/history/1981-championship-retrospective.html |publisher=Celtics.com |access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
-Fitch led the Celtics to a third consecutive Atlantic Division title in 1981–82 while winning 63 games, although the team lost in the Conference Finals to the 76ers in seven games. The 1982–83 team dropped in wins (from 63 to 56) while finishing second in the Atlantic Division, and were defeated by the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in four games. On May 27, 1983, he resigned from the Celtics.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/28/sports/fitch-in-surprise-quits-the-celtics.html|title = Fitch, in Surprise, Quits the Celtics|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 28 May 1983}}</ref> Fitch cited [[Harry T. Mangurian Jr.]]'s announcement that he was selling the team due to difficulties with [[Delaware North]] (the owners of the [[Boston Garden]]) as the last straw, despite Fitch having three years left on his contract.<ref name="NYT1">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Roy S. |title=Fitch Finds Old Habits Hard to Break |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/26/sports/fitch-finds-old-habits-hard-to-break.html |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=New York Times |date=26 May 1986}}</ref>
+Fitch led the Celtics to a third consecutive Atlantic Division title in 1981–82 while winning 63 games, although the team lost in the Conference Finals to the 76ers in seven games. The 1982–83 team dropped in wins (from 63 to 56) while finishing second in the Atlantic Division, and were defeated by the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in four games. On May 27, 1983, he resigned from the Celtics.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/28/sports/fitch-in-surprise-quits-the-celtics.html|title = Fitch, in Surprise, Quits the Celtics|newspaper = The New York Times|date = May 28, 1983}}</ref> Fitch cited [[Harry T. Mangurian Jr.]]'s announcement that he was selling the team due to difficulties with [[Delaware North]] (the owners of the [[Boston Garden]]) as the last straw, despite Fitch having three years left on his contract.<ref name="NYT1">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Roy S. |title=Fitch Finds Old Habits Hard to Break |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/26/sports/fitch-finds-old-habits-hard-to-break.html |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=May 26, 1986}}</ref>
-===Houston Rockets===
+===Houston Rockets (1983–1988)===
-On June 1, 1983, Fitch was hired by the [[Houston Rockets]], taking over for [[Del Harris]], who had managed the team to 14 wins the previous season.<ref name="BR1"/> The [[1983–84 Houston Rockets season]] also happened to be the first season with [[Ralph Sampson]] on the team. The team won 29 games that season. The [[1984–85 Houston Rockets season|next season]] was the season in which the Rockets drafted [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], and the team responded with 48 wins and a playoff berth, although they were beaten in five games by the [[Utah Jazz]].<ref name="BR1"/> His [[1985–86 Houston Rockets season|third season]] was his best season with the team as they won the Midwest Division title along with the Western Conference title after beating the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in five games.<ref name="BR1"/> They met Fitch's old team, the Celtics. Boston beat the team in six games to win the [[1986 NBA Finals|Finals]].<ref name="MSN1"/><ref name="BR1"/> Fitch's following two seasons led to playoff berths, although they did not advance past the Conference Semi-finals. Fitch was fired on June 6, 1988.<ref>{{cite news |title=Houston Rockets Fire Bill Fitch |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-06-mn-3052-story.html |access-date=3 February 2022 |newspaper=LA Times |date=6 June 1988}}</ref>
+On June 1, 1983, Fitch was hired by the [[Houston Rockets]], taking over for [[Del Harris]], who had managed the team to 14 wins the previous season.<ref name="BR1"/> The [[1983–84 Houston Rockets season]] also happened to be the first season with [[Ralph Sampson]] on the team. The team won 29 games that season. The [[1984–85 Houston Rockets season|next season]] was the season in which the Rockets drafted [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], and the team responded with 48 wins and a playoff berth, although they were beaten in five games by the [[Utah Jazz]].<ref name="BR1"/> His [[1985–86 Houston Rockets season|third season]] was his best season with the team as they won the Midwest Division title along with the Western Conference title after beating the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in five games.<ref name="BR1"/> They met Fitch's old team, the Celtics. Boston beat the team in six games to win the [[1986 NBA Finals|Finals]].<ref name="MSN1"/><ref name="BR1"/> Fitch's following two seasons led to playoff berths, although they did not advance past the Conference Semi-finals. Fitch was fired on June 6, 1988.<ref>{{cite news |title=Houston Rockets Fire Bill Fitch |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-06-mn-3052-story.html |access-date=February 3, 2022 |newspaper=LA Times |date=June 6, 1988}}</ref>
-===New Jersey Nets===
+===New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)===
-On August 21, 1989, Fitch was hired by the [[Brooklyn Nets|New Jersey Nets]], replacing [[Willis Reed]], who had gone 26–56 the previous season.<ref name="UPI2">{{cite news |title=Nets to name Fitch new coach |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/08/21/Nets-to-name-Fitch-new-coach/9968619675200/ |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=UPI}}</ref> The team acquired [[Sam Bowie]] on draft day in order to try and start a rebuilding process, although the team went 17–65 for the season, the fewest wins for the Nets since joining the NBA.<ref name="UPI1"/> Fitch gradually raised the team up, acquiring [[Derrick Coleman]], [[Dražen Petrović]], and [[Terry Mills (basketball)|Terry Mills]] helping the team qualify for a playoff berth in the [[1991–92 New Jersey Nets season]].<ref name="UPI1"/> The team went to the playoffs with a losing record of 40–42, sixth-best in the 14 team Eastern Conference. They lost in the First Round to Fitch's old team, the Cavaliers in four games. On May 12, 1992, he resigned as coach of the team.<ref name="UPI1">{{cite news |title=Fitch quits to end Nets' turbulent season |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/05/12/Fitch-quits-to-end-Nets-turbulent-season/3084705643200/ |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=UPI |date=12 May 1992}}</ref>
+On August 21, 1989, Fitch was hired by the [[Brooklyn Nets|New Jersey Nets]], replacing [[Willis Reed]], who had gone 26–56 the previous season.<ref name="UPI2">{{cite news |title=Nets to name Fitch new coach |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/08/21/Nets-to-name-Fitch-new-coach/9968619675200/ |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=UPI}}</ref> The team acquired [[Sam Bowie]] on draft day in order to try and start a rebuilding process, although the team went 17–65 for the season, the fewest wins for the Nets since joining the NBA.<ref name="UPI1"/> Fitch gradually raised the team up, acquiring [[Derrick Coleman]], [[Dražen Petrović]], and [[Terry Mills (basketball)|Terry Mills]] helping the team qualify for a playoff berth in the [[1991–92 New Jersey Nets season]].<ref name="UPI1"/> The team went to the playoffs with a losing record of 40–42, sixth-best in the 14 team Eastern Conference. They lost in the First Round to Fitch's old team, the Cavaliers in four games. On May 12, 1992, he resigned as coach of the team.<ref name="UPI1">{{cite news |title=Fitch quits to end Nets' turbulent season |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/05/12/Fitch-quits-to-end-Nets-turbulent-season/3084705643200/ |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=UPI |date=May 12, 1992}}</ref>
-===Los Angeles Clippers===
+===Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)===
-On July 28, 1994, Fitch was hired by the [[Los Angeles Clippers]], replacing [[Bob Weiss]], who had gone 27–55 the previous year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Clippers name Fitch coach |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/07/28/Clippers-name-Fitch-coach/5263775368000/ |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=UPI |date=28 July 1994}}</ref> In four seasons with the team, he could not reverse the tide of a franchise that had gone on a downward spiral since making the playoffs in consecutive seasons in 1992 and 1993. However, he led them to a playoff berth once, doing so in the [[1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season|1996–97 season]] (the last playoff berth for the team until 2006), although they were swept in the First Round by the Jazz. They made the playoffs despite going 36–46, qualifying by just two games. The following season was a disaster, with the team finishing 17–65, the worst season since finishing with that same record in the 1994–95 season.<ref name="AP1"/> Two days after the season ended, Fitch was fired on April 20, 1998.<ref name="AP1">{{cite news |title=Clippers Fire Coach Bill Fitch |url=https://apnews.com/article/f0a43c2c8650a5f280e1f4dd03445015 |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=AP |date=20 April 1998}}</ref> Fitch's most losses record in NBA history with 1,106 losses a record stood for five years until [[Lenny Wilkens]] broke his mark during the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03 season]] while coaching for the Toronto Raptors. Wilkens' NBA coaching career finished with 1,155 losses after he announced his retirement from coaching on January 22, 2005.<ref name="MSN1"/>
+On July 28, 1994, Fitch was hired by the [[Los Angeles Clippers]], replacing [[Bob Weiss]], who had gone 27–55 the previous year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Clippers name Fitch coach |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/07/28/Clippers-name-Fitch-coach/5263775368000/ |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=UPI |date=July 28, 1994}}</ref> In four seasons with the team, he could not reverse the tide of a franchise that had gone on a downward spiral since making the playoffs in consecutive seasons in 1992 and 1993. However, he led them to a playoff berth once, doing so in the [[1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season|1996–97 season]] (the last playoff berth for the team until 2006), although they were swept in the First Round by the Jazz. They made the playoffs despite going 36–46, qualifying by just two games. The following season was a disaster, with the team finishing 17–65, the worst season since finishing with that same record in the 1994–95 season.<ref name="AP1"/> Two days after the season ended, Fitch was fired on April 20, 1998.<ref name="AP1">{{cite news |title=Clippers Fire Coach Bill Fitch |url=https://apnews.com/article/f0a43c2c8650a5f280e1f4dd03445015 |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=AP |date=April 20, 1998}}</ref> Fitch's most losses record in NBA history with 1,106 losses a record stood for five years until [[Lenny Wilkens]] broke his mark during the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03 season]] while coaching for the Toronto Raptors. Wilkens' NBA coaching career finished with 1,155 losses after he announced his retirement from coaching on January 22, 2005.<ref name="MSN1"/>
+Fitch coached at four universities: the [[University of Minnesota]], [[Bowling Green State University]], the [[University of North Dakota]], and his alma mater, [[Coe College]].<ref name="TA1"/>
+During his 25-year pro coaching career, Fitch was often hired in an attempt to improve failing teams. Although Fitch currently ranks tenth among NBA coaches in all-time number of victories (with 944), he is also ranked second in all-time losses (with 1,106) behind [[Lenny Wilkens]].<ref name="MSN1">{{cite news |last1=Feldman |first1=Dan |title=Legendary coach Bill Fitch dies at 89 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/legendary-coach-bill-fitch-dies-at-89/ar-AATqn3j |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=MSN |date=February 3, 2022}}</ref> In 1996, Fitch was named one of the [[Top 10 Coaches in NBA History]].<ref name="TA1">{{cite news |title=Bill Fitch, Basketball Hall of Famer who led Celtics to NBA title, dies at 89 |url=https://theathletic.com/news/bill-fitch-basketball-hall-of-famer-who-led-celtics-to-nba-title-dies-at-89/wnaeJclEzL4Y/ |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=The Athletic |date=February 3, 2022}}</ref> In 2016, Fitch was honored with an honorary bench by the Hall of Fame, which surrounds a statue of [[James Naismith]] along with other granite benches in honor of great coaches, all made possible through a $150,000 donation by [[Rick Carlisle]].<ref name="espn.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15090444/why-rick-carlisle-honored-bill-fitch-bench-hall-fame|title=Why Rick Carlisle honored Bill Fitch with a bench at the Hall of Fame|date=April 4, 2016}}</ref>
 ==Personal life and death==
-Fitch was born in [[Davenport, Iowa]] on May 19, 1932.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15090444/why-rick-carlisle-honored-bill-fitch-bench-hall-fame|title=Why Rick Carlisle honored Bill Fitch with a bench at the Hall of Fame|date=4 April 2016}}</ref> Prior to his NBA coaching career, Fitch was a drill instructor in the U.S. Marine Corps. He graduated from Coe College in 1954 with a degree in Physical Education, and he also played basketball and baseball there.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blast from the Past: The 1970-71 Season |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/blast_1970_110727.html |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=NBA.com |date=27 July 2011}}</ref>
+Fitch was born in [[Davenport, Iowa]], on May 19, 1932.<ref name="espn.com"/> He attended [[Coe College]], where he played basketball and baseball and graduated in 1954 with a degree in physical education.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blast from the Past: The 1970-71 Season |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/blast_1970_110727.html |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=NBA.com |date=July 27, 2011}}</ref>
 Fitch died in [[Lake Conroe]], Texas, on February 2, 2022, at the age of 89.<ref name="NYT2"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/02/bill-fitch-dies-coach-of-celtics-1981-championship-team-was-89.html |title=Bill Fitch dies: Coach of Celtics' 1981 championship team was 89 |last=Robb |first=Brian |date=February 3, 2022 |website=masslive.com |access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
 ==Head coaching record==
 ===NBA===
 {{NBA coach statistics legend}}
@@ Line 223: / Line 243: @@
 | ||2,050||944||1,106||.460|| ||109||55||54||.505
 {{s-end}}
-Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Fitch |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/fitchbi99c.html |publisher=Basketball Reference |access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref>
+Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Fitch |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/fitchbi99c.html |publisher=Basketball Reference |access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 236: / Line 256: @@
 {{Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball coach navbox}}
 {{Cleveland Cavaliers coach navbox}}
+{{Cleveland Cavaliers general manager navbox}}
 {{Boston Celtics coach navbox}}
 {{Houston Rockets coach navbox}}
@@ Line 269: / Line 290: @@
 [[Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball coaches]]
 [[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
-[[Category:National Basketball Association championship-winning head coaches]]
+[[Category:NBA championship–winning head coaches]]
 [[Category:New Jersey Nets head coaches]]
 [[Category:North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's basketball coaches]]
-[[Category:Sportspeople from Cedar Rapids, Iowa]]
+[[Category:Basketball players from Cedar Rapids, Iowa]]
-[[Category:Sportspeople from Davenport, Iowa]]
+[[Category:Basketball players from Davenport, Iowa]]
 [[Category:United States Marines]]
+[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]