Advertisement

Tampa Prep’s Joe Fenlon keeps adding to basketball legacy

The longtime coach, already the wins leader in Tampa Bay and among the state's best, reaches win No. 750.
 
Published Dec. 13, 2018

There was a lot of fanfare when Tampa Prep boys basketball coach Joe Fenlon recorded his 700th career win three years ago. Banners were displayed throughout the hallways at school in the days leading up to and following the milestone.

The hype surrounding win No. 750, which came last week, was hardly noticeable.

In fact, Fenlon did not even know he had hit the mark when he walked off the court following a 75-27 rout of Northside Christian.
Fenlon found out when his son, Conner, now an announcer for Ciena men's hoops games, called from New York.

"It was all pretty low key," Fenlon said. "Once Conner called, and it was put on social media, then people starting catching wind of it."

Fenlon, 57, already is the area's all-time leader in wins — 64 ahead of former Lakewood legend Dan Wright.

RELATED: The top coaches in Tampa Bay history

Now in his 36th season, Fenlon also ranks among the state's top five in career wins.

"It all just means that I'm getting old," he said.

The Terrapins, off to a 3-1 start, again are contenders for a district title.

"I like the makeup of this team," Fenlon said.

So when will he retire?

According to Fenlon, it depends on the day.

He jokingly said he was ready to after Tuesday's 68-52 loss to Seffner Christian. The Terrapins shot 30 percent from the field and 11 percent from 3-point range.

"I might have been ready to step aside at halftime of that game," Fenlon said. "But that was just one game. Overall, this is a really good group. It's still fun."