LAFAYETTE — The uncertainty of whether former Rensselaer Central coach Chad Pulver would be around the game of basketball was in question after he wasn't rehired in April.
But there's still plenty of passion left for Pulver, made evident during the hiring process in Carroll County.
Pulver was hired by Delphi High School to be its next head basketball coach on Monday. The hiring was announced Friday morning by Delphi athletic director Chip Dale.
"“I feel like the passion I have and love I have for basketball," Pulver said. "And I knew if the right opportunity came to stay in the game, I'd certainly look into it. I love to be around athletes, making an impact in these student athletes' lives and help them transition from high school to adulthood.”
Pulver guided the Bombers to a 92-75 record between 2018-2022 and helped the program win the IHSAA 2A Sectional title in 2022. The Bombers' sectional title was followed by capturing the Hoosier Conference title in 2023.
"When hiring a coach looking for a lot of different things," Dale said. "We were looking for someone who fit with community, kids and coaches in our department. There were three different parts of the interviewing process and he kept presenting things that made it clear that he was the guy meant to come and lead our basketball team."
The 2023-2024 season was tenuous for both Rensselaer Central and Delphi which struggled in the regular season and playoffs. Delphi went 11-13 and hasn't won a sectional title game or put together a record above .500 since 2019. Rensselaer Central finished 10-14 in Pulver's last season which ended in a 70-57 first round dismissal by Frankfort.
Pulver gets a new change of scenery while Delphi acquires a coach with a proven record of winning.
"Our community at Delphi prides itself on hard work," Pulver said. ''Our kids are going to play hard and the other team is going to know that this team is going to come at us hard. (Pulver) is not a guy who is stuck and will try some different things to make ourselves better."
Pulver emphasized playing at a fast tempo.
"The style of play I like to orchestrate is we try to speed up other teams on the defensive end," Pulver said. "I like to fastbreak and I believe Delphi will thrive with that. We won't be one of the largest teams but when we play to our strengths, that’ll be something that’ll work in our favor.”
Returning senior leading scorer Walker Jones who scored 16.5 points per game was part of Pulver's hiring process.
"We involved the kids in the interview process who would be a good fit," Dale said. "As he walked out of the room, the kids gravitated towards his personality."
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