Winningest coach in Central Section history is retiring. But first, a playoff run?
The winningest high school boys basketball coach in Central Section history is retiring at the conclusion of the postseason.
Brad Felder has led Hanford for the past 28 years. The ninth-seeded Bullpups start the Division III playoffs Wednesday at No. 8 Mira Monte.
“This is the last group of seniors I’ll see,” he said. “The relationships with opponents and their coaches, officials ... It’s all an important part of the legacy you leave. I hope I left a positive one for future coaches.”
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Felder had plenty of success on the court. His overall record (including three seasons at Washington Union) is 577-297, according to section historian Bob Barnett. Of note: Felder coached one year out of the section at Willows with a record of 18-8.
Felder has led his teams to 14 league championships and four section championships.
“Why I’ve stayed in it so long is because I still love kids,” he said. “I love communicating with them; I like interacting with them and pushing them in the right direction. Not all success, but the number of successes outweighs the failures and I think that’s why you get in this profession is for the kids and helping the kids.”
“Everybody that’s retired before me that I’ve talked to said you know when it’s time,” Felder said. “My wife is ready and I’m ready and it’s the right time.”
Proudest moment in his career
Asked what his crowning achievement was, Felder didn’t hesitate to run off his proudest two moments.
“Winning the Valley title in ‘08 because both of my sons were on that team,” he said. “The interaction with my wife (Brenda), who has been my scorekeeper for years. She’s involved with something I love. It really helps you to go a lot longer in your profession if your family is involved.”
Felder’s 2008 Hanford team went 31-4 and 12-0 in the West Yosemite League. His sons, Barrett and Beau, helped lead the Bullpups’ 72-64 victory over Kerman in the section Division III championship.
Lasting impact and looking ahead
Tulare Union coach Mark Hatton poked some fun at his friend at a recent game, presenting Felder with a walker.
“I don’t mix my Facebook page with basketball! But tonight I will make an exception! This is my friend Brad Felder and he is the winningest coach in CIF History….for now….I have enjoyed battling him for 31 years! He is on his last dance journey and tonight I sent him away with a walker! If you watched tonight’s game you saw one of the best games ever at Tulare Union. Hanford 60 Tulare Union 57. Let’s dance at your place one more time brother in a couple weeks! I am proud of my boys!,” Hatton wrote.
Felder mentioned he was approached by a former player at Washington Union, who reminded him he played for him.
Those instances make Felder feel that he touched his players’ lives.
“I want them to respect me and I want them to think that they got a fair shake,” he said. “Kids that don’t play, want to play more, and I hope in the end, when they reflect they go, ‘You know what? He was fair. Good to be around and a positive influence and helped push me to work harder than what I wanted to work and helped me strive to get where I am today.’
“Over the years I coached many sports: softball, football, baseball, basketball. Basketball is always my love, but I think a good coach can coach any sport and have an influence on kids.”
