Pete Padgett
Encyclopedia
Peter L. "Pete" Padgett (born June 15, 1954) is a American
high school basketball
coach. He is best known, however, for his playing career between 1972–73 and 1975–76 while on the Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball
team.
, the head coach at Nevada. Padgett, who is , played the power forward
position and became one of the most statistically accomplished players in school history. Padgett was selected to the all-conference second team during his freshman
year, then was subsequently picked as a first team all-conference member for his final three seasons. Padgett led the West Coast Athletic Conference in rebounding all four seasons and finished his career with 1,464 total, a sum good enough to place him in the top ten all-time in the NCAA's modern era.
Although rebounding was his specialty, Padgett finished his career with 1,642 points, which at the time was the third-highest in school history. He also set a conference-record by accumulating 784 assists (in conference games only). As a senior
he was honored with the Doc Martie Award, given annually to the University of Nevada's top male athlete. Padgett was then chosen in the sixth round (88th overall) by the Atlanta Hawks
in the 1976 NBA Draft
, but he never played in the league.
Padgett was a two-sport star who also played baseball.
in education administration. In 1977, he began his coaching career at Carson High School
in Carson City
, Nevada. He served as an assistant coach from 1977 to 1980, and then took over head coaching duties in 1980. For the next 15 years he guided the school's boys' basketball program before leaving to coach at Reno High School
. Padgett spent five years at the school, and then prior to the 2000–01 NCAA Division I season
he joined the staff at UC Santa Barbara. However, his time as an assistant coach at the college level was short-lived, and he resigned after one year to return to Reno High School where he still coaches today. In addition to serving as head coach, Padgett serves as the athletic director
.
, California
, where his father Jim Padgett
, an Oklahoma City
native, was teaching and coaching at the time. Jim Padgett previously served in the United States Air Force
during the Korean War
, and later served as the head coach at Cal and Nevada
. Pete Padgett's mother is Nancy Padgett, who was married to his late father for fifty-eight years. Pete and his wife, Debra A. Padgett, have one daughter, Melissa, and one son, David C. Padgett
. David played basketball for Kansas and Louisville
and is now an assistant coach at IUPUI
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
high school basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach. He is best known, however, for his playing career between 1972–73 and 1975–76 while on the Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball
Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball
The Nevada Wolf Pack basketball program is a college basketball team that represents the University of Nevada, Reno. The team is currently a member of the Western Athletic Conference, which is a Division I conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
team.
Playing career
Pete Padgett played for his father, Jim PadgettJim Padgett
James Lee "Jim" Padgett was an American basketball coach. He died of congestive heart failure at 79 years old. He served as head coach at University of California, Berkeley from 1968 to 1972. Padgett coached the University of Nevada from 1972-76...
, the head coach at Nevada. Padgett, who is , played the power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
position and became one of the most statistically accomplished players in school history. Padgett was selected to the all-conference second team during his freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
year, then was subsequently picked as a first team all-conference member for his final three seasons. Padgett led the West Coast Athletic Conference in rebounding all four seasons and finished his career with 1,464 total, a sum good enough to place him in the top ten all-time in the NCAA's modern era.
Although rebounding was his specialty, Padgett finished his career with 1,642 points, which at the time was the third-highest in school history. He also set a conference-record by accumulating 784 assists (in conference games only). As a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
he was honored with the Doc Martie Award, given annually to the University of Nevada's top male athlete. Padgett was then chosen in the sixth round (88th overall) by the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
in the 1976 NBA Draft
1976 NBA Draft
The 1976 NBA Draft was the 30th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 8, 1976 before the 1976–77 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, but he never played in the league.
Padgett was a two-sport star who also played baseball.
Coaching career
After college, Padgett stayed at school for one additional year to earn his master's degreeMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in education administration. In 1977, he began his coaching career at Carson High School
Carson High School (Carson City, Nevada)
Carson High School is a high school in Carson City, Nevada, United States.- Staff :As of July 23, 2011, the principal of Carson High School is Ron Beck...
in Carson City
Carson City, Nevada
The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital of the state of Nevada. The words Consolidated Municipality refer to a series of changes in 1969 which abolished Ormsby County and merged all the settlements contained within its borders into Carson City. Since that time Carson City has...
, Nevada. He served as an assistant coach from 1977 to 1980, and then took over head coaching duties in 1980. For the next 15 years he guided the school's boys' basketball program before leaving to coach at Reno High School
Reno High School
Reno High School is a public secondary school in Reno, Nevada that is a part of the Washoe County School District. The school mascot is the Husky, and the school's colors are red and blue. Their teams are known as the "Reno Huskies."-History:...
. Padgett spent five years at the school, and then prior to the 2000–01 NCAA Division I season
2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 8, 2000, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2001 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in...
he joined the staff at UC Santa Barbara. However, his time as an assistant coach at the college level was short-lived, and he resigned after one year to return to Reno High School where he still coaches today. In addition to serving as head coach, Padgett serves as the athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
.
Personal
Padgett was born in San JoseSan Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where his father Jim Padgett
Jim Padgett
James Lee "Jim" Padgett was an American basketball coach. He died of congestive heart failure at 79 years old. He served as head coach at University of California, Berkeley from 1968 to 1972. Padgett coached the University of Nevada from 1972-76...
, an Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
native, was teaching and coaching at the time. Jim Padgett previously served in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and later served as the head coach at Cal and Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball
The Nevada Wolf Pack basketball program is a college basketball team that represents the University of Nevada, Reno. The team is currently a member of the Western Athletic Conference, which is a Division I conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
. Pete Padgett's mother is Nancy Padgett, who was married to his late father for fifty-eight years. Pete and his wife, Debra A. Padgett, have one daughter, Melissa, and one son, David C. Padgett
David Padgett
David C. Padgett is a former American basketball player and current coach.Padgett's father, Pete, played for the University of Nevada, his uncle played for the University of New Mexico, his grandfather, Jim, played for Oregon State, and his sister played for the University of San Diego.Padgett...
. David played basketball for Kansas and Louisville
Louisville Cardinals men's basketball
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team is the 18th winningest college basketball team in NCAA Division I history and has the 10th best winning percentage in college basketball history. Currently coached by Rick Pitino, the Cardinals of the University of Louisville have been to 37 NCAA...
and is now an assistant coach at IUPUI
IUPUI Jaguars men's basketball
The IUPUI Jaguars men's basketball team is the men's basketball team that represents Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in The Summit League. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball...
.