On April 18, 1966, NBA legend Bill Russell was named head coach of the Boston Celtics, making him the first Black head coach in major U.S. professional sports history. Already a Celtics star with multiple championships, Russell became a player-coach, breaking racial barriers in one of the most tradition-bound franchises in basketball. His appointment marked a significant moment not only for the NBA but for professional athletics as a whole, opening the door for generations of Black coaches across sports.
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