The first coach of the Cavaliers was among 12 finalists nominated for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame over the weekend.
Fitch coached the Cavs from their inception in 1970 until 1979. That includes the Miracle of Richfield season that will forever live in Cavs lore.
He later went on to coach the Boston Celtics, winning a championship in 1981 with Larry Bird as the team's centerpiece. Fitch also led Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets to the Finals in 1986, losing to Bird and the Celtics in six games.
He later coached the New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, before retiring in 1998 with a career record of 944-1,106.
Former Cavs radio play-by-play man Joe Tait, a member of the media wing of the Hall of Fame, has said Fitch was instrumental in Tait being hired by the organization.
Along with Fitch, coaching finalists include Bo Ryan, John Calipari, Robert Hughes and Lita Andrews.
Meanwhile, one-time Cavs point guard Kevin Johnson was nominated for his career as a player. Johnson was drafted by the Cavs in 1987 -- but was beat out by Mark Price for the starting spot, then shipped to the Phoenix Suns at midseason in a trade that netted Larry Nance.
Spencer Hawyood, Jo Jo White, Lisa Leslie and Dikembe Mutombo were the other players nominated for election, with Dick Bavette being the lone referee.
The new Hall of Fame class will be announced April 6.
