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March 27, 2010

BOYS' BASKETBALL: Bradley retires after 24 years as head coach

BY GREG MENGELT Greg.Mengelt@newsandtribune.com

>>SOUTHERN INDIANA — John Bradley has announced his retirement from coaching after 24 years as a varsity boys’ basketball coach at Henryville and Silver Creek.

Bradley finished his career with a 237-290 mark, including a 2009-10 season that featured a 9-12 record and a Silver Creek Holiday Tournament championship.

“After 24 years — and having gotten both of my kids through high school — it’s time to step away,” Bradley said in a telephone interview on Friday.

Henryville coach Perry Hunter, who was an assistant coach under Bradley from 1993-1995 and 2000-2002, said Bradley’s contributions to basketball will be missed.

“I think that John Bradley has had an effect on a lot of people,” Hunter said. “He’s been a very positive influence on me and other guys who have coached (under) him. He’s a great guy, somebody I’ve learned a lot from. You wish so much for somebody like that because he has been so positive and so helpful.”

Bradley has spent 31 years in the West Clark School Corporation, most of which he has been at Henryville as a teacher. Bradley said his school obligations, along with increased responsibilities for head basketball coaches, contributed to the decision. He will continue to teach at Henryville.

“The summer program, and all the time it takes, it’s become a 12-month-a-year job,” he said. “And I’m not getting any younger.”

Bradley said getting through 24 years as a head coach takes a lot of help.

“I tell you what, to be able to coach for 24 years at the varsity level has been just unbelievable,” he said. “The only way to do it is with a good administration and a good school board. I’ve also had the best assistant coaches you could ask for.

“I’ve also had the best coach’s wife you can have. She’s been with me through good seasons and bad seasons. She’s been a good supporter.”

After a 16-4 junior varsity season at Silver Creek, Bradley believes that the Dragon program will be strong going forward.

“I think the program is in very, very good shape,” he said. “The junior high, as well as the elementary (school) is as good as anyone around. They have the records to prove it. I think they’re going to do well in the next few years.”

In Bradley’s opinion, Silver Creek assistant coach Brandon Hoffman is the right man to take over the position.

“He’s the finest young coach around,” he said.

 

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