Who Is Red Auerbach? Age, Biography and Wiki
Red Auerbach was born on September 20, 1917, and passed away in October 2006 at the age of 89. As a prominent basketball coach and executive, he is revered for his transformative role in the evolution of the NBA. Known for his innovative coaching techniques and his knack for identifying and nurturing talent, Auerbach led the Boston Celtics to 9 NBA championships as a coach and 5 more as an executive. His influence on the game continues to be felt today.
| Occupation | Basketball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 20, 1917 |
| Age | 89 Years |
| Birth Place | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 28 October, 2006 |
| Died Place | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Popularity
Red Auerbach's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though Red Auerbach had a significant presence on the basketball court, specific details regarding his height and weight are not well-documented. However, as an influential figure in the sport, his stature was marked more by his contributions to basketball than by physical attributes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, Red Auerbach was known to be private about his personal relationships. He was married to Dorothy Auerbach, with whom he shared a loving partnership. The couple had two daughters together, Susan and Nancy. His focus remained on his family as well as nurturing his professional aspirations, making significant contributions to both his personal and professional communities.
Entering the 1951 season, the core of the Celtics consisted of Hall-of-Fame center Ed Macauley, Auerbach's old favorite McKinney, and an unlikely addition, Bob Cousy. The point guard refused to report to the club that had drafted him, and because his next team, the Chicago Stags, folded - Cousy ended up with the Celtics.
With Auerbach's fast-break tactics, the Celtics achieved a 39–30 record but lost in the 1951 NBA Playoffs to the New York Knicks. However, the relationship between Auerbach and Cousy improved when the coach help craft the young guard - an already outstanding dribbler and passer - become the first great playmaker of the early NBA.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2006, Red Auerbach's net worth was estimated to be in the range of $5 million. His earnings primarily stemmed from his coaching career, as well as various roles he held within the Boston Celtics organization. While specific details about his salary during his coaching tenure remain elusive, various reports indicate he was one of the highest-paid coaches of his time.
However, Auerbach could not prevent the Celtics from going south at the end of the 1970s. He traded away both Silas and Westphal because they wanted salary increases that would have made them higher earners than the best player on the Celtics (Cowens), which was not acceptable to Auerbach.
While the Westphal trade to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Charlie Scott was considered a success due to the Celtics' 13th title in 1976, Auerbach later admitted he erred in letting Silas go, even after Cowens personally begged him to give Silas a new deal. When Havlicek retired in 1978, the Celtics went 61–103 in two seasons.
In the summer of 1978, after the worst in a string of contentious clashes with several different owners after Walter Brown's passing in 1964, Auerbach hopped into a taxi to take him to Logan Airport, where he was to board a flight to New York to consider a lucrative contract offer from Knicks owner Sonny Werblin.
However, the cab driver pleaded with him to stay, emphasizing how much Bostonians loved him and considered him family. Soon after, heading a team press conference, and with his typical bravado, Auerbach puffed on his trademark cigar and stated, "I'm not going anywhere.
We're going to sign Larry Bird, and we're going to be on top again." Despite knowing that Bird, a talented young player from unheralded Indiana State, had a year of college eligibility remaining, he had drafted Bird as a junior eligible in the 1978 NBA draft.
He waited for a year until the future Hall of Fame forward Bird arrived, finally setting aside his team salary rules when it became clear that his choices were paying Bird a record-setting rookie salary or watching him re-enter the 1979 draft. Bird then became the highest-paid Celtic as a rookie, with a $650,000-per-year deal.
Auerbach knew the brilliant, hard-working Bird would be the cornerstone of a new Celtics generation.
Career, Business and Investments
Red Auerbach's illustrious career began in the 1940s, and it quickly flourished with his appointment as head coach of the Boston Celtics in 1950. His strategic prowess led the team to unprecedented success, revolutionizing the game with his fast-break offense and the development of the sixth man role. Beyond coaching, Auerbach served as the team's general manager and president, making pivotal decisions on player acquisitions that solidified the Celtics' dominance in the league.
After his retirement, Auerbach remained involved in basketball through various capacities, including commentary and public appearances, showcasing his enduring love for the game.
Auerbach was one of four children of Marie and Hyman Auerbach. Hyman was a Russian-Jewish immigrant from Minsk, Russia, and Marie Auerbach, née Thompson, was American-born. Auerbach Sr. had left Russia when he was thirteen, and the couple owned a delicatessen store and later went into the dry-cleaning business.
Auerbach spent his childhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, playing basketball. Thanks to his flaming red hair and fiery temper, Auerbach was nicknamed "Red".
Social Network
Although Red Auerbach is no longer with us, his legacy is celebrated across various social media platforms. Fans and basketball historians continue to pay tribute to him on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, where highlights from his career and quotes advocating for teamwork and perseverance are frequently shared. The Boston Celtics also maintain an active presence online, often celebrating their legendary coach's contributions.
Before the 1950–51 NBA season, Walter Brown, owner of the Boston Celtics, was desperate to turn around his struggling and financially strapped franchise, which was reeling from a 22–46 record. Brown, in characteristic candor, said to a gathering of local Boston sportswriters, "Boys, I don't know anything about basketball.
Who would you recommend I hire as coach?" The group vociferously answered that he should get the recently available Auerbach and Brown complied. In the 1950 NBA draft, Auerbach made some notable moves. First, he famously snubbed future Hall of Fame point guard Bob Cousy in the 1950 NBA draft, infuriating the Boston area.
He argued the flashy Cousy lacked the poise necessary to make his team, taunting him as a "local yokel". Instead, he selected Bowling Green center Chuck Share with the first overall pick in the 1950 NBA draft. Auerbach used their second-round pick on Chuck Cooper, the first black player to be drafted by an NBA club.
With that, Auerbach effectively broke the color barrier in professional basketball.
Education
Red Auerbach attended George Washington University, where he played basketball and developed his foundational skills and understanding of the game. His academic and athletic experiences laid the groundwork for his future accomplishments in the sport.
During the Great Depression, Auerbach played basketball as a guard at P.S. 122 and Eastern District High School, where he was named "Second Team All-Brooklyn" by the World-Telegram in his senior year.
