Tom Heinsohn
Two-Time NBA Champion as Head Coach | 1973 NBA Coach of the Year | Celtics Hall of Famer
Thomas William “Tommy” Heinsohn was born August 26, 1934, in Union City, New Jersey. A hard-driving Boston Celtics forward, he won eight NBA titles as a player before becoming the franchise’s head coach in 1969.
Heinsohn reshaped Boston around John Havlicek, Dave Cowens and a fast-paced approach after Bill Russell’s retirement. His teams won NBA championships in 1974 and 1976, and he earned NBA Coach of the Year in 1973.
His entire NBA head-coaching career was with the Celtics: 427 wins and 263 losses in 690 regular-season games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1986 and as a coach in 2015.
He died on November 9, 2020, at the age of 86.
- Overall Coaching Record: 427-263
Coaching Career
Heinsohn replaced Bill Russell in 1969 after the Celtics’ 1969 championship. Boston initially rebuilt, going 34-48 and 44-38 in his first two seasons.
The Celtics won 56 games in 1971-72 and a franchise-record 68 in 1972-73, when Heinsohn was named NBA Coach of the Year. New York stopped Boston in the 1973 Eastern Conference finals.
Boston captured the 1974 championship by defeating Milwaukee in seven games and won another title in 1976 over Phoenix in six. The clubs emphasized fast breaks, defense and the leadership of Cowens and Havlicek.
A decline followed the championship years. Heinsohn was replaced in January 1978 following an 11-23 start, ending a nine-season NBA head-coaching career at 427-263.
Notable Players Coached
- John Havlicek
- Hall of Fame forward and 1974 NBA Finals MVP
- Dave Cowens
- Hall of Fame center and 1973 NBA MVP
- Jo Jo White
- Hall of Fame guard and 1976 Finals MVP
- Paul Silas
- All-Star rebounder and key 1974/1976 champion