By TOM WILLIAMS

As soon as you entered a gym, you could tell if Greg Goodwin was coaching. Because of his passion for the game, he was the loudest coach in the Cape-Atlantic League, maybe in South Jersey, shouting instructions to his players (and, occasionally, to a referee or two).

And he was also one of the most successful.

He coached boys basketball at St. James, Millville (his alma mater) and Absegami. He had a lot to do with getting the Absegami boys lacrosse program going and coached there. But it was in girls basketball where he made history.

Goodwin, who died Sunday after a long battle with cancer, won two state titles with the Absegami girls (back-to-back in 2005 and 2006). Wildwood’s Dave Troiano won three straight state crowns, Middle Township’s Gary Barber and Atlantic City’s Joe Fussner each also won two straight. Goodwin won five South Jersey championships. Only Paul Baruffi (eight) and Troiano (six) had more among girls coaches at CAL schools.

His 227-54 record with the Absegami girls puts him 11th in CAL history in wins (Mainland’s Scott Betson just passed him this year) but his won-lost percentage (.808) is fourth all-time behind Fussner, Pleasantville’s Steve Ottenberg and Egg Harbor Township’s Sam Botta.

However, coaching success only tells part of the story of Greg Goodwin, as you will see in the following thoughts and memories from some people you might know.

Tara Booker, former Absegami star, 1,000+ point scorer in high school and college, currently the head men’s coach of the Kordall Steelers in Luxembourg: “I will forever be grateful for Goody’s role in my life. The time, energy, and love he invested in me as a student athlete had a massive impact on my career. This is an incredibly sad day for South Jersey basketball and the entire Galloway community. Goody touched the lives of so many young adults and his life should be celebrated. I am sending all of my love and strength to his amazing wife Kimbra, his children and all those who loved Goody during this difficult time. His legacy will forever be honored.”

John Bruno, Ocean City basketball coach: “Greg Goodwin and I have been friends since the late 1980’s. Our common thread was basketball. We worked Mike Gatley’s Sharpshooter camp for weeks and from then on became best friends. Goody was always a gentle giant…a big man who was soft spoken but also had the biggest heart. We shared times on and off the
basketball court, especially taking vacations together where his sense of humor
always made an appearance. The one thing that everyone will remember about
Goody was his laugh. He could be heard from any distance and just the sound of it
made you smile. As a coach, he was a competitor. His teams always played hard,
were well coached but, more importantly, the players always came first. Our teams
always battled each other on the court but when the game was over, we both knew
what was most important wasn’t who won or lost but that both teams
competed to the best of their ability. He mentored so many young players who I am
sure benefitted a great deal from the life lessons he taught to them as they grew
into adulthood. What I will miss the most is his friendship…it was more than just
basketball. Goody was family. My wife, Karen and I are proud to be godparents to his
daughters, Casey and Nicole. Karen and Kim Goodwin have been lifetime best
friends since their days at Mainland. I will cherish each and every memory I had
with Goody and I can rely on the thought that he is now in a better place.”

Tony Surace, retired Millville AD and Hall of Fame coach: “Greg was an outstanding coach in multiple sports at several schools. His greatest teams were at Absegami. However, he cut his teeth at Millville where he was a solid player in basketball and tennis and returned as a coach. He will always be a Thunderbolt.”

Dr. Chris Lentz, retired AD and coach at Ocean City: “Whenever I think of Greg I hear his laugh and see his smile. He was serious and generous. He loved the game but not more than his wife and children.”

Dr. Sam Botta, former EHT coach, now Head of School at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Leesburg, VA: “The young men and women coached by Greg Goodwin were blessed to have him lead and guide them. Greg’s teams always played hard and smart and reflected his competitive edge. I always considered our teams fortunate to come away with a win against a Greg Goodwin coached team. Greg has left a lasting legacy for those he coached at Absegami and surely will be missed by all that have been part of the CAL basketball family.”

Dave Troiano, retired Wildwood Hall of Fame coach: “Greg Godwin was a true professional. We were rivals, as well as very good friends. He always had an infectious smile as well as a kind word. Always enjoyed talking to him about basketball and seeing him at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic. He touched many lives and those he touched have very fond memories of Greg. I will definitely miss him.”

Jim Henry, Atlantic Tech golf coach: “I met Greg Goodwin through John Bruno and my wife, Trish. I had never met someone with a more infectious enthusiasm for basketball and life. Goody was always so pleasant and welcoming. We shared many golf carts and became closer during those times as he helped guide a new teacher with aspirations to coach in high school. When I became the golf coach at ACIT this past March, my first call was to Goody and I asked if he wanted to be my assistant coach. He jumped at the opportunity. Goody instantly made a connection with the team and myself, not only as a coach, but a mentor. It was such a special night when Greg made our end of the season banquet last month. He told me he wasn’t going to miss it. He had a great time with the team, ate some good food and took a lot of pictures.  Goody was a special guy and touched so many people.  He is truly a legend in our lives and this area.”

Bill Hiltner, Hall of Fame coach at Sterling & Millville: “I was fortunate enough to coach Greg in my last season at Millville (1977-78). My memories are nothing but positive. He had a strong work ethic, was fundamentally sound, was coachable and loved the game. He was a good player but a better teammate. Over the years, we’ve stayed in touch via lunch, watching his teams play, etc. Even in his darkest hours, he remained positive. I don’t think you will find anyone who knew Greg that didn’t like him. There aren’t many people in this world about whom that can be said. R.I.P., Goody!”

Jess Sartorio: Cedar Creek basketball coach and former Absegami player: “To me, the definition of a good coach is someone who impacts you long after you’ve played for them. Goody was a great coach! He taught me so many lessons that I now use as a coach myself. He continued to stay in touch and followed me as I played in college and when I moved back home to start my coaching career. I loved bumping into Goody at games over the years and seeing him on different benches, never giving up his passion for coaching. Each time I saw him, he would always put a smile on my face with advice that I will cherish and, of course, his laugh that I’ll never forget. If I can impact my players, the game of basketball and everyone I meet half as much as Goody did, I will be happy.”

Bob Lasko, Absegami girls coach: “I don’t know if people today realize how good his teams were. Multiple D1 kids, 5 South Jersey titles, and 2 State titles. With that said, the thing I like most about Coach was that he never talked about his achievements. He was quick to say an encouraging word. Whether it was to a fellow coach or student. He’s molded a lot of student/athletes here in Galloway. The imprint he made here at Absegami will forever be remembered”

Stephanie Agger Carideo, Lower Cape May HOF player and director of Steph Carideo Basketball Academy: “Basketball has truly brought some of the greatest people into my life. I may have hated to play against this man and his incredible teams (Tara Booker, Sara Wolf) but had absolutely nothing but love and respect for him. So blessed later in life when our lives crossed again and we were able to laugh and joke about those good old days over beers. I was even more blessed I got to meet his incredible wife, Kimbra. The love these two share is contagious when you were around them and – truth be told – she is the real baller of the family! My heart breaks for you and your entire family. What an incredible man and coach you all shared with us. Praying so hard for you all and hoping you find peace knowing that with the time he did have on this earth his impact was unmatched!”

John Leahy, Hall of Fame Middle Township coach and player: “When I first started coaching the girls basketball team at Middle in 2004, Greg had his powerhouse teams at Absegami. We used to scrimmage them and, while the scores were a bit lopsided, he was always very positive and complimentary towards our players and coaches. I remember him telling me, ‘you’re building it the right way, with hard work, teamwork and toughness.’ Twenty years later, I still remember his words and the impact our brief conversations had on me. Anytime I’d see him in the gym, he would go out of his way to say hello and ask about the team and my family. I always appreciated that. You will be missed, my friend. R.I.P., Goody.”

Trish Henry, Ocean City girls coach: “I believe a certain Tim McGraw song title epitomizes the spirit of Goody. That song is ‘Humble and Kind’. Greg Goodwin wasn’t one to talk about all that he accomplished as a coach. In fact, my daughter just learned that Goody was the coach who led the Absegami girls basketball team to back to back state titles. When she read all that he accomplished she said, ‘Wow, that is really impressive’. That is a very fitting response when reading his athletic resume. Goody was an extremely funny and positive person. There were so many things he would say that made  people smile. When we talked he always asked how me and my family were doing. He was selfless and authentic. When he spoke about his wife and kids he always had a huge smile on his face. You could tell they meant the world to him. Goody was an amazing husband, father, coach and friend. I am truly lucky to have known such a legendary coach. He was one of the best to ever do it in this area but he was an even better person.”

Jason Lantz, Atlantic City girls coach: “Sending condolences to the family of Coach Goodwin, who was another great figure in our basketball community. Like many of our legends, Coach Goodwin always would speak and know so much about the things that we were doing with our program. Always with encouraging words and wishes of success. We pray for his family and friends in this time of loss.”

Joe Kessler, retired Hall of Fame Shawnee basketball coach: “Goody was a good friend, a great guy, and someone who treated everyone with kindness and respect. I met Goody in July 1990 at the same time I met John Bruno at the TCNJ college camp and instantly became friends. What a great time it was that night and a funny story to go with it. I arrived to work the camp about 90 minutes before the first meeting. Walking down the hallway toward me were two men – Bruno and Goody. I asked them where the meeting was and they told me. But they suggested we go out for a quick beer and come back. We couldn’t find an open bar so we ended up knocking on the door of a closed Arthur Treacher’s Restaurant. We told them we just wanted a beer and they let us in. They actually brought out the karaoke machine at Arthur Treacher’s and we had a great time, entertaining the restaurant’s clean-up crew. Well, we got back to that meeting room deep into the evening and missed the whole thing. That was the beginning of a long friendship with John Bruno and Greg Goodwin. He will never be forgotten.”

Larry DiGiovanni, all star veteran coach, now at Atlantic Tech: “When thinking of Absegami the first person you think of is Greg Goodwin. He was a mentor and inspiration to a great number of Gami students and young teachers. Greg was a very good friend to me and a great ambassador for Gami, the entire Cape-Atlantic League and all of South Jersey. For a decade, Greg and I were very competitive with two high profile programs. But at the same time we shared a mutual respect and friendship. Wins and losses never interfered with that respect or friendship. My second year with the ACIT boys program (2018-19) Greg was my assistant and we thoroughly enjoyed working together and sharing ideas. Greg was a wonderful family man who was always positive and saw the good in everyone he touched.”

Scott Betson, Mainland championship coach and Absegami graduate: “Greg represents the pinnacle of coaching in girls basketball in the Cape Atlantic League and a huge part of the fabric of Absegami High School. Rarely will you find someone who is both so successful and so well liked by his peers. He will be truly missed.”

Sara Mostafa Wolf, former Absegami basketball star: “‘One coach will impact more people in one year than most people will in a lifetime.’ That was from Billy Graham. Coach Goodwin had a tremendous life of influence and I’m grateful to have been coached by him for four years at Absegami. His legacy will not be forgotten and will live on in the lives of those of us whom he coached.”

Steve DiPatri, Wildwood Catholic coach and all-time CAL wins leader in girls basketball: “Greg Goodwin was not only a successful coach, but also a cherished friend. His leadership and dedication led the Absegami Girls Basketball team to back-to-back state titles in 2005 and 2006, solidifying his place in the school’s and Cape-Atlantic League history. I have had the privilege of knowing Greg since 1997, our friendship was built on shared experiences both on and off the court. From intense scrimmages to high-stakes games, we pushed each other to be our best. Then we shook hands as gentlemen once the final whistle blew. Celebrating our state championships together at the Tournament of Champions Luncheon will always be among my fondest memories, along with our random meet-ups at Chick-fil-A during Greg’s coaching days at Cumberland County College in Vineland. There, we would often cross paths, sharing laughs and catching up on life. Greg’s passion for basketball and genuine friendship will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, my dear friend.”

Paul Baruffi, Hall of Fame basketball coach: “Goody and I both grew up in Cumberland County, me in Vineland and Goody in Millville. Over the years we would play in pick up games at different gyms in the area. My senior year of high school, my coach decided to put us in the Vineland Men’s Summer League. Goody played for the Lincoln Lounge. This team had many of the guys who won a state championship at Sacred Heart. My one memory of Goody was how strong he was in the post. I know we got beat up in the game and I’m pretty sure Goody made me hit the floor trying to box him out. Years later, when I became the girl’s basketball coach at Ocean City, Goody was in the middle of his unbelievable run with the girl’s team at Absegami. My goal was to someday have a team that could compete at that level. We would later have some intense battles but, when the game was over, we were still good friends. When we got together years later, we talked more about the funny characters we came across more than anything involving basketball. When I retired a few years ago, Goody and I started getting together to play golf. He went on our Ocean City golf trip to Maryland and was so much fun on the trip. I think we both looked forward to many more trips. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with cancer which took away those opportunities. At the same time he was going through his issues, I had shoulder replacement surgery. Goody had that same surgery years earlier and, even though he was dealing with a much more serious condition, he continued to send encouraging and funny messages. His caring and great personality made people want to spend time with Goody. My condolences to Kim and the rest of his family. We definitely just lost one of the best.”

Joe Fussner, Hall of Fame high school and college coach: “Greg was a basketball lifer. He served as my assistant coach at Stockton University during the 2010-11 season. We crossed paths as opponents, as well. I coached against him with the Atlantic City boys. He stepped away, briefly, so he could watch his son play. But he just could not step away from coaching. He returned to the bench as an assistant for several teams. Greg was a mentor for young coaches as well as an asset to any team he assisted. Greg and I shared the fact that we coached both male and female athletes and we often had conversations about the differences. All of us in the profession lost an outstanding friend but his influence on us will never be lost.”

As you can see, Goodwin was not only widely respected as a coach, but also as a person. The celebration of the coach’s life will be held Friday (July 12th) at noon in the Absegami Performing Arts Center. The calling will be from 9:30am until noon.

Greg Goodwin was 63.