First African-American NBA Head Coach

From Hoopedia

Following another NBA Championship in 1965-66, Red Auerbach retired, and Bill Russell took over the Boston Celtics as player-coach on Nov. 15, 1966, becoming the first African-American coach in the league. He led Boston to a 60-21 regular-season record, but the Celtics finally had their string of championships snapped when they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Division Finals.

The Sixers went 68-13 in the regular season and is considered one of the league's best ever, trounced the Celtics in five games to advance to the NBA Finals.