He developed multiple teams into playoff contenders and won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 1981.

He won the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013,[1] and was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Fitch led North Dakota to three NCAA Division II men's basketball tournaments, including a Final Four appearance in 1966.

[4] Fitch was the first head coach hired by the expansion Cleveland Cavaliers on March 19, 1970, for their inaugural 1970–71 season.

He had become the leading scorer for the team, but a serious knee injury curtailed Cleveland's hopes for a playoff berth.

The team, now fabled as "The Miracle of Richfield", was led by team captain Carr, scoring small forward Campy Russell, shooting guard Bobby "Bingo" Smith, and a supporting cast of largely unknown players such as starting center Jim Chones, and an aging Nate Thurmond.

[2] On May 23, 1979, Fitch was hired by the Boston Celtics, taking over for Dave Cowens, who had coached them to a 29–53 record as a player-coach the previous season.

A former drill instructor in the U. S. Marine Corps,[10] the coach was lauded by Bird for his intense practices and discipline.

[12] In his second season, the Celtics drafted Kevin McHale and acquired Robert Parish, both through a trade with the Golden State Warriors.

The 1982–83 team dropped in wins (from 63 to 56) while finishing second in the Atlantic Division, and were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in four games.

[15] On June 1, 1983, Fitch was hired by the Houston Rockets, taking over for Del Harris, who had managed the team to 14 wins the previous season.

[16] On August 21, 1989, Fitch was hired by the New Jersey Nets, replacing Willis Reed, who had gone 26–56 the previous season.

[18] On July 28, 1994, Fitch was hired by the Los Angeles Clippers, replacing Bob Weiss, who had gone 27–55 the previous year.

[21] During his 25-year pro coaching career, Fitch was often hired in an attempt to improve failing teams.

[22] He attended Coe College, where he played basketball and baseball and graduated in 1954 with a degree in physical education.