Bob Foley began his high school basketball coaching career in 1963, the same year Michael Jordan was born.
Jordan, of course, went on to become an international basketball legend. Foley, meanwhile, is still going strong, and is something of a coaching legend in Central Mass. and beyond.
Already the winningest high school basketball coach in New England history, Foley on Friday night reached another milestone, picking up career win No. 900 as his Pioneers, ranked No. 4 in the Hometeam media poll, defeated Sutton, 72-62.
While Foley consistently downplays his success and deflects credit to the players he’s coached over the years, others in the Central Mass. basketball community understand and appreciate his impact and influence.
“I just hope I’m around to get at least a third of those wins,” said Doherty High coach Jermaine Chavis, who played in high school against Foley-coached teams and whose Highlanders have had some classic games in recent years with St. John’s. “Coach Foley obviously loves the game of basketball and getting the best out of his players. When you think about, if he goes a perfect 20-0 in 40 years, that’s 800; so you’d still have to add another 100 to that. That’s insane.”
Foley is now in his 38th year at St. John’s. His career started in Uxbridge, where he coached for five years before moving on to spend 11 years at St. Peter’s.
Foley played at Holy Cross in the 1960s is a member of the college’s athletic hall of fame. He’s a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, too, but it’s his ability to teach the game and connect with players, most say, that has fueled his longevity.
“If you know Coach, 900 wins isn’t a surprise at all,” said Matt Palecki, a former St. John's captain, who graduated in 2012. “His approach is so consistent, day in and day out. If you put me on the spot, I think I could still list our daily practice routines today. Even though the players change from year to year, the results don’t.”
The milestone win was made more special because Richard Rodgers, currently a tight end on the Green Bay Packers and perhaps Foley’s most well-known former player, was in attendance Friday night.
Rodgers was part of teams that reached four consecutive Division 1 state championship games, taking home a title in 2009.
“Coach Foley just has really been a mentor to me,” Rodgers said. “Ever since I came into St. John’s, he was the person who told me what to do, what not to do. I didn’t play football my freshman year, so I was always in the gym. To be a part of a team and go to four straight state championships is special. We have a bond that’s going to last forever.”
It’s a refrain that has been uttered often by his coaching peers over the years — Foley finds a way to get every ounce of production out of his players, and pushes them to play as hard as possible on every possession.
“(Foley) is not a guy who will get his players fired up before a game with a huge pregame pep talk; he's just a coach guys love to play for and will give everything for,” said Joe Murphy, a former captain and 2016 St. John's graduate. “He taught me how to love the game, and all the blood, sweat and tears that come with playing.”
Foley it seems, has a “Joe Murphy” on his team every year — a kid who likely would be a star and top scoring option on another team, but is influenced by Foley to give up his Hudl highlights for a lunch pail and to sacrifice personal glory to play whatever role is asked by Foley.
Foley certainly has coached his share of stars, including Davon Jones, a former captain and 2015 graduate who is now a hard-hitting linebacker at Boston College.
"Being able to play for Coach Foley was an honor for me,” Jones said. “He’s a high character man who is very honest and simple. To this day, I still wish I could play one last basketball game with him being my coach. He’s my role model."
Foley is no doubt capable and accomplished in the area of Xs and Os, but it’s his influence off the court that most impacts his former players.
“I know I wouldn't have been the player I was and the person I am today if I didn't have the opportunity to play for him,” said Palecki, who was a skilled and physical post player for Foley before continuing his career at Bowdoin.
Foley is famous for his focus on winning and for paying little attention to predictions, polls or awards given to individuals.
“Coach Foley doesn't care much for awards or accolades; all he cares about is winning,” said former captain and 2014 St. John’s graduate T.J. Kelly. “That has been the constant for over 30 years at St. John’s — we keep winning and Coach is the biggest reason for that.
“He always puts the team first in any situation, but, more importantly, he has turned boys into men.”
With over a half-century of in-game experience and having coached in more than 1,200 games, one would assume Foley has learned all there is to know.
Foley sightings at gyms during cold winter nights on which the Pioneers are idle, though, prove otherwise.
“(Foley) puts in the effort to learn everything there is about opponents and spends countless hours in gymnasiums all across Massachusetts,” Kelly said.
The Pioneers are 8-5 and will no doubt be a factor in the Central Mass. Division 1 Tournament next month.
Until then, Foley will attempt to get one win closer to 1,000, when St. John’s hosts South High Friday night.
—Contact Tom Flanagan at sports@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @tgsports.