Ray Scott
January 2026

Ray Scott became the first Black NBA Coach of the Year after a rapid promotion to Pistons head coach, later pivoting to a long post-NBA career and published a memoir. After Earl Lloyd was fired early in 1972–73, Scott took over with minimal staff and later led Detroit to a 52–30 season, winning Coach of the Year. He was fired in 1976 amid team regression and organizational change, coached briefly in college, then built a career in insurance leadership. The profile emphasizes the NBA’s growth alongside U.S. social change and Scott’s role as an observer and trailblazer.