LOWELL — There might not be better high school basketball coach in Massachusetts than Salem’s Tom Doyle.
You know what? There might not be a better high school coach in America. Period.
Saturday night at the Tsongas Center, Doyle led the Witches to the crowning moment of his 23 years as head coach with Salem winning the Division 3 state championship via a 57-51 victory over top-seed Hanover.
Salem-born and Salem-bred, Doyle has never known anything but the colors black-and-red. Besides his four years in blue-and-orange down the road at Salem State, anyway. The joy on his face as he watched team celebrate with the Division 3 state championship trophy Saturday was surpassed perhaps only by the gratitude he felt when he looked the sea of parents, alumni and members of the Salem High family that came to Lowell to support his boys.
“I’ve lived here my whole life. Played here my whole life,” said Doyle. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
At some schools, jerseys on the wall are just names collecting dust; today’s players weren’t even born when the stars of yesteryear plied their trade. Not so at Salem High, largely because Doyle (a sharpshooting guard for the 1990 SHS state champs) is the bridge between the past, present and future of his program.
Before Saturday’s state final, Salem’s players enjoyed FaceTime calls with legends Rick Brunson (and his son, New York Knicks star Jalen) and Scoonie Penn. They told this year’s Witches to enjoy the moment, be first to every loose ball, and leave everything they had out on the floor.
“I wish they were here, but it was an honor just to be on the phone with them,” said junior captain Elian Rodriguez, whose 27 points sealed Salem’s fourth all-time title. “They’ve been supporting us from a distance. Hearing encouragement from pros, from people who have done this before, was crazy.”
Jamal Camah, Penn’s running mate for the ’95 champs, also talked to the Witches. If you grew up in Salem and earned a Witches warmup jacket and tank top, you’ll do anything for your team. Brotherhood thrives when a leader like Doyle is the steward.
“Anyone I reached out to wanted to talk about this moment with the kids,” Doyle said. “Every one of them said how much they love being part of Salem basketball, and how they never forgot those moments. No matter how far they went, the best times were winning state championships in high school.”
As little as three years ago, a state title for Salem was a fantasy. The school hadn’t won one in any sport in the 21st century. In a lot of lean years over on Willson Street, most sports programs didn’t even come close. No matter how bleak it seemed, there was Doyle’s boys basketball program (he’s never missed the state tournament in nearly a quarter century) standing as an example of what Salem High could be.
Slowly, things got better. Athletic director Reilly Christie helped bring the passion back to Salem High sports. Administrative leadership helped the school earn one of the best academic reputations in the state among Gateway cities, so more kids are staying and thriving.
“The vibe is through the roof at Salem High School,” Doyle said.
Salem basketball is a family, both figuratively and literally. Doyle coaches with his sons, program alums Ethan and Jack. They’ve brought a modern edge to the Witches’ offensive and defensive sets — and reinvigorated their dad. Tom’s brother, Dave, handles all the Witches’ stats. His wife Jess even used to coach Salem’s varsity girls soccer team.
“I’m so grateful to be coached by these guys,” senior captain Nate Lane said of the Doyle clan. “It’s not just about basketball. They look out for your grades and everything else. They’re not just coaches, they’re mentors.”
On the floor and in practice, Doyle treats every player like a son. He’s tough on them, demanding effort and defensive intensity. He loves them, giving encouragement when needed. That extends to how the players treat each other, and it’s a major reason for their success.
“Everybody loves each other. We don’t point fingers. We know everybody makes mistakes, so when air balls or turnovers happen we treat each other like brothers,” said Rodriguez.
“It really is more than a team,” added Lane. “We hang out together after practice. We eat lunch together every day, in-season and out-of-season.”
The Mount Rushmore of Salem boys basketball has always included two hallowed names: Brunson and Penn. With a state championship ring coming his way, it’s not premature to put Rodriguez in the third slot.
The fourth? I’m chiseling Tom Doyle into the granite. Who else could have convinced a team that wasn’t in the state’s Top 20 at Christmas that it would win it all if it just put in the work? Who else has been as impactful across the entire curriculum that makes up Salem High sports?
“He’s one of the best coaches in the country. I love him,” said Rodriguez. “Other schools wanted me and I told him as long as you’re coaching in Salem, I’m staying in Salem. He means everything to us.”
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Matt Williams has been at The Salem News since 2007. You can contact him at MWilliams@salemnews.com and follow along on Twitter/X @MattWilliams_SN