Al Gooden-The Man, The Coach, The Legend
By Tabitha Ervin
FWIS Editorial Director
I was recently able to chat with Coach Al Gooden following the announcement of his retirement from coaching basketball as well as teaching at the end of this year after 35 years. I met Coach Al years ago when I moved here and started coaching with the Fort Wayne Express Track Club with Bruce and Tiffany Stephens, right before Harding was closing. We were able to talk a bit about his legacy and what he will do in retirement. As many know, coach is a humble man so I also reached out to Coach Bruce Stephens to help me gather some quotes and thoughts from players and other coaches.
Growing up, Coach Al was pretty athletic along with his brothers. He was a standout at Wayne High School and at Ball State University where he was a business major. He helped coach a little while in college and once he came home, he jumped right in on coaching.
He started out coaching the “B” team at Wayne High School for two years out of college, then three years as Elmhurst's junior varsity coach and two years at Heritage before going to Harding.
Ervin: Congrats Coach on your retirement! As you head into retirement, what will you miss the most?
Gooden: I will miss the players, the competition and even practices. I spent lots of time with so many young people, getting to know them and their families and being part of their lives so I will miss that.
Ervin: What is your biggest regret if you have one?
Gooden: It was always hard to cut kids. When a young person has a dream of playing, it was hard for me not to keep them all. I would have 100 kids tryout and have to cut 80. That was tough for me.
I had a kid, JJ Johnson who I actually cut twice, he kept coming back. He later called me to help him get into college and ended up playing in college! He is now an assistant coach at Anderson University.
Ervin: What do you want to be remembered for? You’ve done a lot at a variety of schools and touched the lives of many young people and their families.
Gooden: That’s pretty simple for me. I just want to be remembered for helping young people. For me it was beyond basketball a lot of times. When kids needed things or their families, I tried to help as best as I could. I did that my entire career as I was blessed to be able to do that. I was also giving kid’s scholarships for a period of time when I could. I always just wanted to be a good human being.
Ervin: Lastly, what are you planning on doing in retirement?
Gooden: I love to golf so I look forward to playing 2-3 days per week when the weather is good! I also look forward to vacations, traveling and visiting old teammates. I am blessed that all my kids and grandkids are here in town and I look forward to spending time with them. A few of my grandkids play sports so I will attend and support them. I may help coach a little for my 6th grade granddaughter's team.
Ervin: Thank you for your time and congratulations again on a blessed and successful career not only winning games but supporting kids and families throughout your journey!
Facts about Coach Al:
Coach Al became the first black coach in Indiana to have 500 wins in 2021 making history.
Coach Al has been inducted into both Wayne High School’s hall of fame and Ball State.
During his time at Harding, Gooden won 5 semi-state titles and the 2001 state title.
He has coached at Harding High School, New Haven High School and is ending his career at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis.
Coach Al coached at Harding for 21 years, leading the program to a long run of success, including a 2001 state championship and a 2002 state finals appearance.
Overall in 35 seasons, Gooden compiled a 525-307 record with 13 sectional titles, nine regional championships, five semistate titles and one state title.
Quotes and Thoughts:
“Two days after we were married Nov 20, 1982, I was sitting in the stands at Wayne High School as Al volunteered coaching for Wayne's B team. I played basketball in high school and intramurals in college at Ball State. I knew basketball was a part of Al’s life in college and going forward I knew we’d be around the sport. We have been married for 40 years.
Our son was a member of the team when Harding won state in 2001 and state runner-up in 2002. Our daughters played their freshman year at Harding but enjoyed volleyball more. The sport of basketball has blessed us.
Our grandson Albert III was able to play 1 year under Al’s leadership and our granddaughter Jordyn who is in 6th grade loves and plays the game.
I’ll miss all the games but I'm looking forward to Al fine-tuning and helping the grands with the sport of basketball.”
Mrs. Felicia Gooden
Al Gooden is an amazing human being! The reason I am coaching is because of him. He helped so many of us become leaders and coaches because of the way he allowed us to lead under him. He gave us space for ideas and he listened to us. He always focused on what was good for the entire team. Now he was a hard coach but kids followed him because they wanted to play and he was great at what he did as a leader, coach and man. Kids respected him, we all do! I remember watching him in highschool as he was a player so I was honored when he came and got me and asked me to coach with him. At the time I was coaching middle school girls. I look forward to playing golf with him in his retirement as well!
Bruce Stephens, Assistant Coach with the team 1996-2014
I am proud to be able to call Coach Gooden a good friend and colleague. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to coach alongside him at three of the four high schools he has been a head coach at: Harding, New Haven and Lawrence Central. I also remember being a player at Elmhurst High School from 1990 - 1995, playing against his Harding Teams. Harding was always well coached, disciplined, hard nosed and tough; all characteristics that he continues to instill in his players to this day.
I know he is not big on focusing on accomplishments, but winning 500 games is proof that he is truly following his purpose in life. Coach Gooden was meant to lead young men off and on the court. I tell people all the time, “Coach Gooden is someone who I would want my son to play for.” I tell people this because I know my son will be a better person being led by him.
Congratulations on a successful coaching career! I am proud of him and all that he has accomplished. I will end with a quote that I can hear him say to the team like it was yesterday, “Like a nail, we bend, but we don’t break!”
Adrian Gatewood
Lawrence Central High School Freshman School Principal Coach has made a monumental impact on my life, not just on the court. It was a pleasure to play for one of the best coaches in the state’s history and I’m forever grateful for his lessons both on and off the court. Coach is without a doubt the best to ever do it in the 260 and I think I speak for all that have played for him when I say it was a true pleasure to be a Hawk/Bulldog!
VJ Beachem, Former Player
I learned how to be mentally tough on the court from Coach and in life. Thanks for all the great memories Coach! All Time Great and Hall of Famer. Your legacy will never be forgotten!
David Tubbs 1998-2002, won State title in 2001 and Runner up in 2002
