Bill Russell: Black coach of the Boston Celtics during the civil rights era

The first Black coach of any major North American sport in modern history, Boston Celtics legendary big man Bill Russell is on the cusp for his second induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his work as a player-coach of the Celtics in the latter third of their unrivaled 1960s dynasty.

Duly enshrined as a player, far more of us are aware of Russell’s intimidating presence on the court, and how he helped transform the style of play in the NBA with his outlet passing and ferocious blocks. But fewer recollections of his time as a coach remain — and even less about what he faced from the media and fans for taking on the role of coach.

Watch the video embedded below to catch a glimpse of how Russell was seen by his peers at the time, with this interview focusing on the Celtic great and his impact as a head coach — both in basketball and beyond — courtesy of CLNS Media.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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