As head coach of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1966, Red Auerbach's teams won nine World Championships'eight in succession, nine within 10 years' (1957–1966, except 1958) and 11 division titles. The Auerbach-coached Celtics won 938, lost 479 (regular season), and 99–69 (playoffs). While other NBA coaches in recent times have produced dominating franchises, Auerbach is considered the most successful professional basketball coach of all time.

Auerbach also coached the Basketball Association of America's (BAA) Washington Capitols from 1946 to 1949 and the Tri-Cities team in 1949-50, the NBA's first operating season. His 1946-47 and 1948-49 Caps teams won Division titles.

As general manager of the Celtics following his coaching career, the Boston team won NBA titles in 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, and 1981. In 1980, he was named NBA Executive of the Year. Red has received practically every honor that can be bestowed upon a professional basketball coach and executive, including election to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968. In 1971, on the NBA's twenty-fifth anniversary, he was selected the NBA's Silver Anniversary Coach (best coach of the League's first quarter century). In 1980, the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America named Red the Greatest Coach in the History of the NBA.

Auerbach's colorful trademark was the lighting up of a long cigar on the team bench when he was certain his Celtics had a game "in the win column"—even while the contest was still being played.

Auerbach is the author of the highly regarded basketball book, Basketball for the Player, the Fan and the Coach.