The Boston Celtics' foundational influence on the NBA is staggering, with Red Auerbach's coaching tree now connecting 28 of the league's 30 head coaches. This enduring legacy persists even as the current Celtics roster.
How extensive is Red Auerbach's coaching tree?
In NBA history, no individual has shaped professional basketball more than Arnold "Red" Auerbach. His impact isn't just about the championships he won as a coach and general manager for the Boston Celtics. It's about the generations of coaches he inspired. When he passed away in October 2006, 23 of the league's 30 coaches could trace their lineage back to him. That number has grown to 28 today.
Sixty years after coaching his last game, his tree is robust. Many coaches have multiple paths back to the Celtics legend. Auerbach had a habit of acquiring smart players who became successful coaches themselves. Four players he coached won NBA titles as head coaches: Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, Tommy Heinsohn, and KC Jones. A fifth, Don Nelson, coached 2,398 games.
Why has this coaching tree thrived for so long?
Since Red Auerbach won his first title in 1957, he and members of his coaching tree have accounted for 40 of the NBA's championships. That's a dominant 40 titles in 69 years. Other coaching trees from his era have largely faded. Only Alex Hannum and Fred Schaus have trees of any size today, and both connect through Larry Brown and Gregg Popovich.
Popovich, who retired just a couple of years ago, now has connections to thirteen NBA coaches. Red's tree, however, impacts the league through five distinct branches: Bill Sharman, K.C. Jones, Tommy Heinsohn, Bob Cousy, and Don Nelson. You can explore the history of such influential figures on our stats page.
Which current NBA coaches are connected to Auerbach?
The connections are everywhere. Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder was an assistant for Mike Brown. Brown worked under Rick Carlisle, who played for KC Jones, a Red Auerbach pupil. Snyder also assisted Mike Budenholzer, who was a Gregg Popovich assistant. Popovich learned from Don Nelson, who played for both Heinsohn and Auerbach.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was an assistant to Ime Udoka. Udoka both played for and assisted Gregg Popovich. Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez was an assistant to Mike Brown. Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee worked under Mike Budenholzer and Joe Mazzulla.
Chicago Bulls assistant Tiago Splitter played for and assisted Gregg Popovich. Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was an assistant to Mike D’Antoni. The web is vast and intricate.
What does this mean for the modern Boston Celtics?
This historical context frames the entire franchise. The philosophy of team play and intelligence he instilled continues to ripple through the league.
His legacy is a living part of the NBA's fabric. Nearly every coach a player encounters has some thread tying back to those Boston Celtics dynasties. It's a unique advantage in understanding the game's roots.
