Boston Celtics History: Top 5 Coaching Fails

Alvin Julian coached Holy Cross to an NCAA championship in 1947 and went 65-10 in three seasons there. He also won a high school championship in Pennsylvania as a football coach, so its fair to say he felt at ease on the sidelines. His time with the Celtics didn’t go so well, however. He succeeded John Russell as the team’s second head coach and went 47-81 in two seasons.

Julian coached Bob Cousy when he was at Holy Cross, but he didn’t stay with Celtics long enough to coach his ex-player in the pros. Julian moved on to Dartmouth College, where he would remain for 17 seasons. Red Auerbach took his place in Boston, he and Cousy arrived together, and the franchise began building towards its 11-championship dynasty, which lasted from 1957-69.

Like Russell before him, Julian’s struggles with the Celtics didn’t keep him from the Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 1968, one year after his death, following a coaching career that lasted four decades. He never ventured back to the pros after his short time in Boston. He led Dartmouth as they transitioned to Ivy League play in 1956 and finished his career there.

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