Saint John's Head Basketball Coach Bob Foley 'H Set to Retire After 44 Seasons
We wish to share with you the announcement that Robert F. Foley ’H, longtime Saint John's High School Varsity Basketball Coach, will be stepping down after 44 successful seasons. Coach Foley ends his tenure as the winningest coach in the program’s history with an overall record of 774-246.
Coach Foley took over as head coach of the Basketball Program in the fall of 1980 and, over the course of his 44 seasons at the helm, led the Pioneers to two Division 1 State Titles (2000 & 2009), nine State Finals, and fourteen Central Championships. Coach Foley was inducted into the Saint John's High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 and was named an Honorary Graduate of Saint John’s in 2006.
Prior to coaching at Saint John’s, Coach Foley served as head basketball coach in the Saint Peter’s/Saint Peter-Marian and Uxbridge school communities. He ends his career of coaching with an overall record of 980-410.
"Coach Foley’s commitment to our mission over the past 44 years has left an indelible mark on our school community on and off the court," Head of School Dr. Benjamin Horgan ’05 said in a statement. “Having served on our faculty, and as our former Athletic Director, we are grateful to Coach Foley and his family for their dedication and support of our Saint John’s community.”
“Walking away from this position has been the toughest decision I’ve had to make in my sixty-one years of coaching,” reflects Coach Foley. “I love the players, I love Saint John’s, I love basketball and I wish nothing but the best for the future of this program.”
Since Saint John’s began formally tracking post-graduate athletic commitments, in 1998, over thirty-five of Coach Foley’s players have gone on to play basketball at the collegiate level after graduating.
Saint John’s High School will immediately commence the search for our next head varsity basketball coach through the collaboration with a committee of administrators, faculty, coaches, and alumni, led by Athletic Director Mr. Michael Mead ’H. More details will be available on our website in the coming days.
On behalf of the entire Saint John’s High School community, we thank Coach Foley, his wife Joan, and the entire Foley family for all they have done for our players, families and fans over the years. We wish them continued blessings in the years to come.
