A new chapter in Bradford High’s storied basketball history
began Monday night when the Bradford Area School Board officially
approved Brian Hobbs as the Owls new varsity head coach.

Hobbs, 28, has served as the assistant varsity coach and head
junior varsity coach the past two seasons under veteran mentor
David Fuhrman, who stepped down in April.

Fuhrman, who said that he felt the time was right to turn over
the reins, put together an impressive overall win-loss record of
340-171 in 20 seasons after taking over the program in 1990. During
that time he led the Owls to 11 District 9 championships, numerous
District 9 League titles and recorded one unbeaten regular season
of 24-0 in 1994-95.

Hobbs is a graduate of Otto-Eldred High School in nearby Duke
Center and Pitt-Bradford, where he played college basketball under
head coach Andy Moore.

After college, he coached in the Red Lion School District in
York. He started with a youth program and then took over the
freshman and 7th-8th grade teams before becoming a member of the
varsity staff as an assistant coach.

Hobbs joined the Bradford coaching staff two years ago and
became Fuhrman’s varsity assistant coach when then-assistant Mike
Manning stepped down.

Following the board meeting Monday night, Hobbs expressed his
excitement over the opportunity he has been given to be the Owls’
new head coach, but also pointed out that he has some big shoes to
fill.

“I’m definitely excited about getting the job,” he said during
an interview at The Era. “Dave (Fuhrman) has had a ton of success
and what he does works. I’ve learned a ton of basketball from him.
I want to carry on what I’ve learned from him and put my own spin
on some other things.”

One of Bradford’s strengths during Fuhrman’s coaching rein has
been defense, and Hobbs fully intends to continue that
tradition.

“I’m a defensive-minded guy and have built my game around
defense. That’s one of the reasons why I was able to play at UPB.
Defense and hard work got me on the floor and coach Moore used to
say I’d run through a wall for him.

“I always loved guarding the best player on the other team and
seeing his frustration. Hard-nosed defense is something I will
continue to instill in the program.

“I also learned a lot about offense from Dave. He knows his X’s
and O’s … and we used a lot of motion offense at Pitt.”

Fuhrman indicated Monday night that he is confident the program
has been placed in good hands.

“I am very happy that Brian has been named the new head coach,”
the former Owls coach emphasized. “I was hoping the new coach would
come from my staff. Brian has been my top assistant the past two
seasons. He has demonstrated outstanding commitment, loyalty and a
willingness to learn and be involved in all facets of the program
year-round.

“Brian knows the game, knows the players in the program and
knows the league and all of these things should make the transition
smoother. I am confident that Brian will do an excellent job and I
plan to support him in any way that I can and I ask everyone else
to do the same.”

The experience Hobbs gained as a player at Pitt-Bradford and the
coaching knowledge he acquired during his two seasons with Fuhrman
were just what BAHS Athletic Director Tim Walter was looking for
when the search for a new head coach got underway.

“Brian gained a lot of experience and learned a lot about
basketball during the two years he coached with Dave,” Walter
noted.

“Brian is a quick learner and has worked hard. He did a very
nice job with his teams. He has a great work ethic, is very
organized and had a good rapport with his teams. He also has a good
personality, gets along good with people and will be a good role
model for his players.

“Brian knows what it will take to keep the program at the level
it is now. He knows how much work is needed in the off-season and
will make the commitment that is needed to do that as the head
coach.”

After Fuhrman’s decision to step down was announced, there was
some talk that Mike Manning might be interested in applying for the
position.

Manning had coached with Fuhrman for nearly two decades, and
played a key role in the Owls’ unbeaten 1994-95 regular season
campaign.

He left to take the head basketball coaching job at
Ellicottville, N.Y., Central School.

Walter, however, said that he knew of no inquiry from Manning
about the opening.

Hobbs, who teaches sixth grade science at Floyd Fretz Middle
School, is married and lives in Bradford with his wife,
Jennifer.