Who was the first African-American head coach in major league sports?

• A. Bill Russell
• B. Fritz Pollard
• C. Dusty Baker
• D. Frank Robinson

Answer: (A)

The first African-American head coach in major league sports is Bill Russell. He made history in 1966 when he was appointed as the head coach of the Boston Celtics, becoming the first Black head coach in the NBA and in any major North American sports league. Russell was a notable player prior to his coaching career, renowned for his exceptional skills on the court and for leading the Celtics to numerous championships. His appointment as a coach was significant not just within the realm of basketball but also in the broader context of civil rights and representation in sports, as it signified a breaking down of racial barriers in a field that had been predominantly white.

Fritz Pollard, while an important figure and one of the first African-American players and coaches in the NFL, coached in a time when the league was not yet fully recognized as a major league sport, which is why he does not hold this specific distinction. Dusty Baker, celebrated for his managerial career in Major League Baseball, and Frank Robinson, a prominent player and also manager, came later. Bill Russell's pioneering role as a coach in the major leagues continues to resonate as an important moment in sports history and the fight for equality.