Brendan Phelps got an offer that many young coaches dream of, and he couldn’t pass it up.
He absolutely deserves the opportunity that he has earned.
Phelps announced Friday that he has taken an assistant coaching position with the Post University men’s basketball team in Waterbury. Eagles head coach Marc Kuntz is happy to have Phelps, Garvin McAlister and Marcus Wellman on his staff.
“I have lofty goals set for Post Basketball and these guys will be very important in trying to reach them!” Kuntz wrote on Twitter.
Post University is getting a great coach and an even better person. For Phelps, gaining something he has long coveted means having to give other things up.
“Anybody who knows me well knows I’ve been working at coaching at a higher level for 15 years, which is why I am beyond excited for this opportunity,” Phelps said in a release he posted on Facebook. “It has been a long and hard road to get here but it’s prepared me for this step and for that, I am grateful for the struggles.”
“At the same time I am heartbroken that I must leave St. Paul Catholic. St. Paul has raised me, literally. From being an infant in my mother’s arms while my dad coached, to being a member of the inaugural junior high, to playing for the high school team and then spending the last 13 years coaching there under my father. St. Paul is home and St. Paul is family, always has been and always will be.”
Phelps said coaching with his father Steve has been the most rewarding experience of his athletic career.
“You encouraged me to be the best version of myself, you relinquished responsibilities, you gave up some control and you allowed me to grow,” Phelps said. “I don’t know many other coaches who are in their third decade coaching at the same place would do those things. I will forever be grateful to you, thank you, Coach, I love you.”
Phelps also thanked St. Paul’s assistant coaches and others who were with him along the way with the Falcons. Phelps saved some of his kindest words for his players.
“Finally, to our players. Making this decision was the hardest choice of my athletic life, and that’s because of you guys,” Phelps said. “There are no words that do justice to how I feel towards you ALL! I will always be there for any one of you. Thank you for making me a better coach and a better man. I can only hope that I have had half the impact on you guys that you have all had on me, I love you guys.”
Phelps also has to give up his position with the Connecticut Passion AAU program that he founded because of NCAA regulations.
“This was not an easy decision and it brought me a degree of sadness considering I founded CPBC 12 years ago and have built from the ground up,” Phelps said in a post on the Connecticut Passion Facebook page. “I started the program so I could provide the right type of AAU experience to young men and I am extremely proud of the product my staff and I have created.”
Phelps said he looks forward to watching the Connecticut Passion grow in the future.
“I wish the staff and the players the very best in the future and again, I am beyond grateful to all of you for helping propel me to this new chapter,” Phelps said.
To say the least, Phelps’ family, friends and former players are happy for him.
“Couldn’t be prouder of my guy. Perseverance and resilience personified,” Bryant University first-year head coach Philip Martelli Jr. wrote on Twitter. “A great and passionate coach who has FINALLY gotten his opportunity!”
Martelli is Phelps’ brother-in-law. Here’s another great comment, this one from a referee.
“This man has a GREAT future in coaching! Tremendous character and someone parents should want their boys learning from,” Don Tinker wrote on Twitter.
There was this from Holy Family University head coach R.C. Kehoe.
“My man @CoachP_4816 welcome to the league buddy, very happy for you!!” Kehoe wrote on Twitter. Holy Family competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
And this from former St. Paul player Jake Kawiecki.
“Congrats P well deserved!!” Kawiecki wrote on Twitter.
A whole lot of happiness and praise, and deservedly so, for a guy who is finally getting his chance to coach at the college level. Congratulations Brendan, and good luck to you!
