Detroit Red

It seems fitting to point out in this time of great Auerbach mourning that Red made his professional coaching debut 60 years ago today, November 2nd, 1946.

He led the now-defunct Washington Capitols over the equally defunct Detroit Falcons 50-33 in Detroit. Auerbach coached the Capitols from 1946-49, winning division titles with the team in '47 and '49. After a brief stint as an assistant coach at Duke, he took over as head coach of the Celtics for the 1950-51 season. And it was on.