![]() ![]() He led Oviedo to a tournament title before it ended in 2015. It became the preeminent holiday high school hoops tournament in the Southeast during the 1990s and 2000s, once it was embraced and operated by the Kissimmee Rotary. In 1981 he created the Great Florida Shootout, which attracted elite teams from around the state and country while funding scholarships for area students. He was the main force behind the creation of the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches where continued to serve that organization for his entire life. While at Osceola, he became one of the state’s leading advocates and mentors for coaches – serving on numerous national and state committee. Those two averaged more than 25 points a game during a perfect 37-0 record that led to the Kowboys’ first - and only, for 35 more years - state championship.įord would go on to star at Auburn, and Markus Paul, who became a football All-American at Syracuse and win five Super Bowl rings as an NFL coach, also starred on that team. His 1982-83 team, led by Frank Ford and Jimmy McCrimon, is still considered one of the best in Florida history. He began his coaching career in Indiana but moved back to Florida in 1980 to take over the Osceola program. Kershner was an all-state basketball player in his native Indiana and went on to play at Florida Southern College. “And he was always more than willing to share that experience and knowledge.” “When you get an opportunity to talk to someone who has won that many games, you better take advantage of it,” Alexander said. Thanks to offering advice whenever sought, Alexander called him “the master.” He would sit for hours and answer my questions.” Coach K’s willingness to share basketball strategy and coaching philosophy with some punk head coach he did not know was incredible. Through camps, visits and clinics, they would be together and I always made sure to stay within earshot so I could hear what he was saying. Even though Coach Kershner had already moved to Oviedo, he was extremely close friends with (then Osceola Coach) Larry Brown. “My first year at Osceola (as an assistant), I was a glorified ball boy. Nate Alexander spent 13 years coach basketball at Osceola, including seven years as head coach where he compiled a 155-46 record and won two state championships, and he shared Mason’s admiration, appreciation and respect for Kershner. ![]() ![]() “When I started my second stint at Osceola this past April, Ed called me and we spoke for an hour about the heritage and tradition of Osceola High School basketball and how I was now the keeper of that tradition.” Mason said Kershner offered that same support for more than 40 years. He would invite me to watch practices and games then he would spend as much time I wanted answering my questions about coaching.” “I contacted Coach Kershner and told him that and he was so encouraging. But when I was in college, I knew I wanted to become a coach. “I grew up watching Osceola basketball, but when I went to high school I wasn’t good enough to play for the Kowboys. He’s the reason I am a coach today,” current Osceola Coach Steve Mason said. “I’m sure there are many others who could say this. ![]() Legendary basketball coach Ed Kershner, who led 1982-83 state-champion Osceola Kowboys to their only undefeated season, passed away Wednesday in his Oviedo home after battling health issues for several years. ![]()
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