Basketball: Tom Feraco retires as Middle Twp. coach

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

Tom Feraco has spent much of his life on basketball courts.

Youth sports in Wildwood Crest. High school ball at Wildwood Catholic. College ball at Franklin and Marshall.

And then 35 years -- from the middle of November in 1981 until the night of March 3 -- as the basketball coach at Middle Township High School.

On Tuesday, Feraco stepped down after one of the greatest coaching careers in state history.

"Time," Feraco said, "catches up with you."

Feraco, 58, retires as the No. 3 coach on South Jersey's all-time list for career victories. He finished with a record of 719-251.

Only current St. Augustine coach Paul Rodio, with 861, and late Camden coach Clarence Turner, with 775, won more basketball games as the coach of the South Jeraey team than Feraco.

Feraco's teams won three state titles and nine South Jersey titles. His last team was 19-7 in one of his best coaching jobs.

"Tommy got more out of his players than anybody in our league," Atlantic City coach Gene Allen said.

Said Shawnee coach Joe Kessler: "We are losing one of the great coaches in our area. Great guy. Great competitor. Loved scrimmaging his team every year. You knew you were going into a battle."

Feraco's teams were renown for their mental and physical toughness as well as their smart play. His teams shared the basketball on offense and displayed diligence on defense.

"I always respected how well prepared and discplined his teams were," Haddonfield coach Paul Wiedeman said. "He was a huge influence early in my career in terms of preparation and getitng kids to buy in."

Under Feraco, Middle Township won 20 games 21 times, including 14 seasons in a row from 1987-2000.

"I loved coaching Middle kids," Feraco said. "I wouldn't trade a Middle kid for anybody. Not St. Anthony. Not DeMatha."

Feraco is an engaging personality. He loves to tell stories.  He loves to joke with opposing coaches and players, officials, fans and reporters.

He often joked that he would have won even more sectional titles if his team hadn't been in the same group as  Camden during some of DaJuan Wagner's career and Haddonfield during some of Brian Zoubek's career.

"Can you believe that?" Feraco would say.

Feraco said his success was enabled by dedicated assistant coaches. Rewi Thompson was with Feraco for 33 seasons, and guys such as Rich Troum, Randy Clark, Floyd McNeal, Andy Ludman and Rich Prendergast have been on the Panthers' bench for more than 20 years.

"I can't thank those guys enough," Feraco said. "They gave it from the heart."

Feraco missed part of the 2013-14 season after surgery for prostate cancer. He said his health was not the reason for his retirement but said the "grind" of the profession was wearing on him.

Feraco said he hoped to travel and help expand his family's business, a liquor outlet store in Rio Grande.

Feraco said he's been a "gym rat" since he started playing basketball as a 10 year old. He said Middle Township offered him the opportunity to stay close to the game for longer than he ever dreamed possible.

"I'll love this place until the day I die," Feraco said of Middle Township.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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