University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Mourn The Passing of Former Head Coach Bill Fitch
2/3/2022 3:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The University of Minnesota men's basketball program mourns the loss of former head coach Bill Fitch. Leading the Golden Gopher program for two seasons in 1968-69 and 1969-70, Fitch was most notable for his Hall of Fame career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He died at the age of 89 on February 2, 2022.
Fitch joined the Gophers after head coaching stops at Bowling Green, North Dakota and his alma mater, Coe College. After finishing last place in the Big Ten the year before, Fitch led the Gophers to a 12-12 overall record in 1968-69 and 6-8 in league play. He followed with a 13-11 mark in 1969-70 and 7-7 within the Big Ten, coaching the likes of Larry Mikan, Eric Hill, Al Nuness, Ollie Shannon and Larry Overskei to name a few.
Following his Gopher tenure, Fitch built a historic 25-year career coaching in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He was named a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, first with Cleveland and the second with Boston. In 1981, he guided the Celtics to a NBA Championship and a 62-win season. He coached his final NBA season in 1996-97 with the Clippers.
Fitch was later selected to the NBA Hall of Fame in 2019 and led his teams to 13 NBA playoff appearances.
Fitch joined the Gophers after head coaching stops at Bowling Green, North Dakota and his alma mater, Coe College. After finishing last place in the Big Ten the year before, Fitch led the Gophers to a 12-12 overall record in 1968-69 and 6-8 in league play. He followed with a 13-11 mark in 1969-70 and 7-7 within the Big Ten, coaching the likes of Larry Mikan, Eric Hill, Al Nuness, Ollie Shannon and Larry Overskei to name a few.
Following his Gopher tenure, Fitch built a historic 25-year career coaching in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He was named a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, first with Cleveland and the second with Boston. In 1981, he guided the Celtics to a NBA Championship and a 62-win season. He coached his final NBA season in 1996-97 with the Clippers.
Fitch was later selected to the NBA Hall of Fame in 2019 and led his teams to 13 NBA playoff appearances.
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