John Bodey to leave Central Noble boys basketball after seven seasons

***Central Noble coach John Bodey talks to his team during a January 27 game against Churubusco. (Photo by Leverage Photography)***

John Bodey is stepping down as the head boys basketball coach at Central Noble after being one of the most successful area coaches in the last half decade. Bodey informed Outside the Huddle of his decision Wednesday, which was first reported by WFFT’s Justin Prince.

Central Noble went 18-7 this season, falling in the Sectional final game to Westview. This 18-win season was Bodey’s fourth best at the school despite graduating the program’s best all-time player in the spring of 2022.

Stepping away for Bodey comes, in part, due to increased expectations at his day job and the chance to spend more time with his family.

Bodey said he does not know what his future could hold with coaching.

“I don’t have any plans right now. I don’t know that I want to coach again but if the right thing came up that involved family where I was around family more, maybe. Probably not going to coach again unless there is some sort of family involvement,” Bodey said, noting his grandchildren in the process.

In total, Bodey was 134-49 in in seven seasons leading the Cougars. He won three straight NECC Tournament titles in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and returned to the title game in 2023, losing to West Noble. The 2021-22 team, which went 28-3, ultimately lost in the Class 2A state title game to Providence. It was the third straight season of 22 or more wins as Central Noble went 22-5, 24-2 and 28-3 in the seasons leading up to this past season.

Bodey also won a Sectional title in 2017 in his first season with the Cougars.

“I said for seven years ‘leave it better than you found it’ and I think I am,” Bodey said. “I think it’s kind of the way I expect things to be done but it’s also the players. There is an expectation of how you play and act. It’s been what I’ve wanted us to do a certain way and play a certain way and the kids have bought into that.”

Bodey has gone 202-131 over his 14-year boys high school basketball coaching career, hitting the 200-career win mark on February 17 with a 64-55 win at Fremont.

Prior to heading to Central Noble, Bodey spent seven seasons at Garrett, winning a Sectional title with the Railroaders in 2009.

Bodey doesn’t leave the cupboard bare at Central Noble. The Cougars will return a big 2024 class next season as seniors, including All-NECC selections Isaiah Gard, Drew Pliett and Sam Essegian.