ROLLAND TODD

On April 21st, 1970, Rolland Todd was just 35 years old when he was hired to be the first-ever head coach of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers were one of three expansion teams to enter the NBA in 1970. Todd coached them for their first 138 games, winning 41 of them.

Rolland Todd grew up in Strathmore on a citrus farm. He remembers saying in the sixth grade that he wanted to one day be a professional athlete and a coach.

The dream of becoming a professional athlete came first, and it really got started for Todd when he attended College of the Sequoias. He played basketball for the Giants, and he helped them win a state title in 1953.

The next year, he transferred to Fresno State. That was in 1954. By the time he was a senior, in 1957, he was team captain. He helped the Bulldogs win the California Collegiate Athletic Association that season, and he finished his Fresno State career with 965 points.

While at Fresno State, Rolland Todd’s roommate was Jerry Tarkanian.

After graduation, Rolland Todd got his chance to play professionally. He had a brief stint in the National Industrial Basketball League, which led to a tryout for both the 1960 Olympic team and the NBA’s St. Louis Hawks. Todd also played in the American Basketball League.

In 1963, Rolland Todd transitioned into coaching. He was an assistant at Riverside City College for one season (under Jerry Tarkanian), before becoming an assistant at Cal State Los Angeles for one season (under Porterville native and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Sharman).

In 1963, Rolland Todd transitioned into coaching. He was an assistant at Riverside City College for one season (under Jerry Tarkanian), before becoming an assistant at Cal State Los Angeles for one season (under Porterville native and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Sharman).

Rolland Todd is the founder of Todd Team Coaching. Since 1986, his company has worked with both individuals and organizations to provide leadership training at the highest level.