Now former LaBrae boys basketball coach Chad Kiser

After nearly 25 years with the LaBrae boys basketball program, Chad Kiser is moving on.

The longtime Vikings head coach announced his departure from the program on Monday.

He spent seven years as junior varsity basketball coach before moving into the head varsity coach’s position in May 2009.

“I spent over half my life coaching basketball at LaBrae,” Kiser said. “I’m extremely grateful for that opportunity and the relationships that I made with players and players’ families, coaches, assistant coaches, and administrators over the years. It’s just been a joy to do, and we accomplished a lot.

“I’m extremely grateful for everything that LaBrae and the community have given me and I’m extremely proud to have been part of that.”

Kiser’s resume with the Vikings speaks for itself.

In his 17 years at the helm of the program, Kiser amassed a 349-123 record, 11 league championships, four district titles, five district runners-up and helped lead LaBrae to the program’s only state final four during the 2012-13 season.

“Over the past 20 years, Coach Chad Kiser has built one of the premier boys basketball programs in our area,” LaBrae High School Principal Jeff Starkey said in a press release announcing Kiser’s departure. “With nearly 350 wins, 11 conference championships, nine district final appearances, and a trip to the state Final Four, his teams consistently set the standard for excellence at LaBrae.

“More than the numbers, his identity was clear–tough, disciplined teams that took pride in defense and competed at the highest level every night. Coach Kiser’s impact goes far beyond the court, and his legacy will be felt in our program and community for years to come.”

Despite all the successes, what stands out to Kiser the most about the last two decades is the relationships he’s cultivated.

“Obviously in 2013 a run to the state final four, stands out right away. That was something that was extremely special, but every season, just being with the kids, getting to know them, competing every day in practice, being together, competing for a common goal, trying to get stuff accomplished and having a positive impact on those kids,” Kiser said. “I think that’s the greatest memory. Just all the kids. Not just one season, or, you know, one group, getting those relationships built, no matter what. … One thing I’m really proud of is that in those 20 years, we only had one losing season, that was my second year. Every other year we’ve had a winning season, which is tough to do.

“I thought we always represented our school and our community in a positive way. I think anybody that talks about LaBrae basketball, I would hope they think that we always played really hard and did it the right way and were respectful young men on and off the floor.”

In the days since he announced his resignation, Kiser has received plenty of support from past players and coaches. He said it was the one good thing about leaving.

The change has also helped him reflect on how he’s grown and changed as a coach. Kiser learned from his players just like his players learned from him.

“I’m still a vocal person. I still get after it during the games and practices. But even those things, I think as you get older, you learn to take a step back and analyze things a little more and not be so reactive,” Kiser said. “When you’ve been coaching for so long, there’s always something that happens for the first time, then you react to it, and you do the best that you can. Then you get into it next time, and you’re like, ‘Hey, maybe I can handle things a little differently or a little better.’ I think kids teach you that.

“And every kid’s different. You just try to treat every kid fair. What’s fair for one kid isn’t necessarily fair for another. I think I’ve learned that. Whether it’s a different talent, whether or come from a different home life, or whatever it is. I think probably the greatest thing I’ve learned from my kids is just how to adapt and just continue working. Watching them work as hard as they do, and set their goals, I think I learned from that because I have to do that every year.”

While Kiser is leaving his position with the LaBrae program, he’s not riding off into the sunset. Kiser hopes to be along the sidelines with a new program as soon as next season.

“I’ve still got some gas left in the tank here, and still want to coach the game that I love and help young student athletes try to achieve their goals as well,” Kiser said.