Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Former Bishop Ryan boys basketball coach Jeremy Feller looks on during a game this past season. Feller resigned from his position on Friday.

After completing three seasons as the Bishop Ryan boys basketball head coach, Jeremy Feller resigned on Friday afternoon.

Feller began coaching at Our Redeemer’s in 2008. After spending time at both ORCS and Ryan, Feller has amassed three state tournament berths and a career record of 185-104.

Ryan made two consecutive state tournament appearances in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons and earned a second-place finish in 2018. This season, Ryan finished 12-11, earning a No. 2 seed in the District 12 Tournament and advancing to the Region 6 Tournament.

“One would think the hardest part of leaving would be the fact that there was not a single senior on the roster,” Feller said. “Don’t get me wrong — that is hard. The hardest part will be the camaraderie, the practices, the relationships and the impact teams make on our family.”

As the father of three young daughters, family has played a critical role in Feller’s life.

“This isn’t the first time I have left a team I have felt is special,” Feller said. “It doesn’t get easier. However, with our girls getting older and more involved in activities, I feel it’s time to step back from coaching and devote more time to focus on them.”

On July 1, 2017, Feller took a position as a development officer at Minot State. He assists with fundraising for the Minot State University Foundation.

“When I started the job at Minot State, I thought my coaching days were over,” Feller said. “God had a different plan. He blessed me with the opportunity to coach another three years, trips to two more state tournaments and another trip to coach in the Lions All-Star Game. Most importantly, I established lifelong relationships with some fine young men and their families.”

Those family ties run deep for Feller, a 2002 graduate of Surrey High School. After playing basketball for the Mustangs, Feller continued his basketball career at MSU and earned two degrees in 2007 and 2009, respectively.

His brother, Jason, has served as an assistant coach for Ryan’s boys basketball team. His nephews, Brady and Jaxon, just completed their respective freshman and junior seasons for Ryan.

“I am blessed to have been able to coach my nephews with my brother at my side,” Feller said. “I will forever be thankful for the opportunity to coach at Bishop Ryan for the last three years. Bishop Ryan and the Lion family has been incredible to not only me, but my whole family when we needed it most.”

Life’s whirlwind has given the former head coach cause to pause.

“The older I get, the more I think of how time passes fast,” he said. “Time is something you don’t get back. I want to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to Bishop Ryan and the athletes I have coached. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to experience what it’s like to be a part of the Ryan family.”

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.