Ron Felling, a revered figure in basketball coaching circles, passed away on Tuesday, his family confirmed. Known for his sharpshooting expertise and storied career alongside Bob Knight at Indiana University, Felling leaves behind a legacy that shaped championship teams and elite players.
Felling's journey to Bloomington was anything but ordinary. After dominating the Illinois high school scene with four state titles in 16 seasons at Lawrenceville High School, he got a call that would change his life—at 2 a.m., no less. Following Indiana's NIT final loss to UCLA in 1985, Knight dialed Felling past midnight. "I say, 'If this is Bob, you just got your ass kicked by UCLA,'" Felling recalled in a 2020 interview. "He says, 'I want you to come work for me next year.'"
That whirlwind hire replaced Jim Crews, who had left for Evansville, and kicked off a 14-year run for Felling as an Indiana assistant from 1985 to 1999. His timing was impeccable: his first season was immortalized in John Feinstein's classic, "A Season on the Brink," and his second culminated in Knight's third national championship in 1987. As a shooting coach, Felling was among the best in the game, honing the skills of legends like Steve Alford and Jay Edwards.
Feinstein captured the unique dynamic between Felling and Knight. "Felling and Knight were almost the same age—Felling the elder by nine months. They shared a passion for country music and basketball. But where Knight was consumed by basketball, Felling often felt the need to escape from it." The author noted that Felling's "endearing personality" quickly won over the coaching staff.
Beyond the wins and accolades, Felling's tenure wasn't without turmoil. He was embroiled in a falling out with Knight that ended with a lawsuit after Knight pushed him to the ground in his office. Some also pointed fingers at Felling for leaking the infamous practice video of Knight grabbing player Neil Reed, which later aired on CNN.
From his small-town Illinois roots to the national stage, Ron Felling's impact on the game—and the players he mentored—will be remembered by basketball fans and coaches alike.