The sudden demise has saddened the NBA family. Bill Fitch’s death cause is still in question. Learn what we know about it.
William Charles Fitch was a National Basketball Association (NBA) coach in the United States who was successful in transforming a number of clubs into postseason contenders.
Fitch was a drill instructor for the United States Marine Corps, which Larry Bird credits in his book Drive: The Story of My Life as a key cause for Bird’s own strong work ethic.
In 2019, Fitch was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame.
What Happened To Bill Fitch?
Bill Fitch, who led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 1981 and was a two-time Coach of the Year, died on Wednesday at the age of 89.
Marcy Ann Coville, his daughter, announced his death via Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.
Fitch made his NBA debut in 1970 as the inaugural coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, transforming an expansion team into a playoff contender.
He arrived in Boston in 1979 to coach the Celtics during Larry Bird’s first season in the NBA. Fitch revitalized the Boston franchise, leading the Celtics to the NBA title in 1981. In 1976 and 1980, he was named Coach of the Year for his basketball accomplishments.
In 2019, Fitch was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
I am so sad to learn that Hall of Fame coach Bill Fitch has passed away. Fitch was the coach of the Rockets when I fell in love with the team and led Houston on a thrill ride to the Finals in 1986 when the city really became crazy about the “unbeatable” Rockets. RIP. pic.twitter.com/QcV5FJaKN5
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 3, 2022
Bill Fitch Death Cause & Obituary Explored
The exact death cause of Bill Fitch is yet to surface as no one of his close circle has shared details about it.
Many fans all around the globe have shared their condolences along with an obituary.
The owner of the Clutchfans Twitter account expressed his sadness at the passing of Hall of Fame coach Bill Fitch.
Fitch was the Rockets’ coach when he fell in love with the franchise and led Houston on a thrilling trip to the Finals in 1986 when the city truly fell in love with the “unbeatable” Rockets. RIP.
Sad news about Bill Fitch passing.
The future @HoopHall Basketball Hall of Fame coach got his start as an assistant basketball coach at Creighton, but was also the head baseball coach for the Bluejays where he coached Bob Gibson.https://t.co/KYkqC8wDse https://t.co/1hWDSgyIoA pic.twitter.com/68znoS3gct
— Rob Anderson (@_robanderson) February 3, 2022
Who Is Bill Fitch Wife?
JoAnne Nelson-Fitch was the wife of Bill Fitch.
Sadly she passed away at the age of 65 due to ovarian cancer.
Not much information is present about Joanne as she did not have much public presence.
The couple had already broken up before her demise. Sadly both of them have passed away now.
Bill Fitch Net Worth 2022 Explored
The exact number of Bill Fitch’s net worth is known, but we guess it to be at least 1 million dollars.
Throughout his 25-year professional coaching career, Fitch was frequently asked to help struggling clubs.
Although Fitch now ranks tenth among NBA coaches in all-time victories (944), he is also second in all-time losses (1,106) behind Lenny Wilkens.
Fitch was voted one of the NBA’s Ten Greatest Coaches of All Time in 1996.
The Hall of Fame recognized Fitch with an honorary bench in 2016, which surrounds a statue of James Naismith and other granite benches honoring great coaches, thanks to a $150,000 contribution from Rick Carlisle.
Fitch was appointed as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 19, 1970, for the 1970–71 season, the team’s debut season.