Kevin Moran has been “directly involved” with the sport of basketball for 50 years. From making plays on the court to drawing them up on the sideline, he’s just about done it all.
That said, every book comes with its final chapter. Moran, who just completed his eighth season coaching Bishop Fenwick’s boys basketball program, has called it a career.
“Well, I think I’ve had two pretty good runs at it. It’s been a long career. There’s nothing envisioned for me right now in the future – let’s put it that way,” said Moran, who grew up in Lynn and currently lives in Peabody with his wife, Julie. “It’s not basketball-related. It’s more about timing.”
His other tenure came at St. Mary’s in Lynn, where he coached nine seasons beginning in 2004. Moran won two state championships as an assistant and another as head coach.
“In my mind, it was a state championship,” Moran said of the 2012 season, one in which he was named Coach of the Year. “We went to the finals and played at The Garden, but at that point in Division 4, it ended in Eastern Mass. It didn’t include Western Mass. In my mind, it’s a state championship.”
Moran learned the ropes from “some great mentors,” including Frank Valeri and Mike O’Brien, who coached St. Mary’s to state titles in 2001 and 2002.
“Mike instilled a lot of energy, desire, and intensity level,” said Moran, who went on to win more than 100 games as head coach of the Spartans.
Moran knows a thing or two about playing, too. He suited up for St. Mary’s under Vin Olivo before graduating in 1981. From there, it was on to Curry College, where he became the school’s all-time leading scorer with more than 2,400 points. Moran also played professionally in England. He is in the Hall of Fame at St. Mary’s and Curry.
When asked what he will miss most about coaching, he was quick to respond.
“It’s the relationships you have with players,” he said. “I love going to see the high school games and I will absolutely follow Fenwick in the immediate future. I like to stay in the background at this point, but I will absolutely be a resource to those guys.”
Then there is his favorite rivalry.
“The one thing that I really enjoyed is there’s a natural rivalry between us and St. Mary’s. Quite frankly, I have a love for both schools,” Moran said. “The competitiveness is something that I love… It’s all about the competition.”
But come next season, it’s all about being a fan and attending some games.
“Oh, absolutely,” he said. “I think, in the coaching world, Fenwick’s in a good spot right now for a young man or woman to come in.”
