Rick Perez leaving Reading High basketball job — but he’s not done coaching (updated)
After the greatest run in Reading High basketball history – arguable the greatest in Berks basketball history – Rick Perez is done as Red Knights coach.
Perez announced the move in a letter Friday afternoon to the Squires Club, Reading’s basketball booster club. His resignation letter lists Oct. 27 as his final day.
He’s not done coaching, however. Perez said he plans to join the Muhlenberg staff, where his former assistant Matt Flowers is the head coach and where his son Jadin plays. Perez and Flowers were high school teammates at Muhlenberg and have remained close since. Flowers was on the Reading staff with Perez for 10 seasons.
Perez won three PIAA Class 6A championships his 12 seasons as head coach, the most recent last season when the underdog Red Knights beat Roman Catholic 63-56 in overtime.
He leaves as the winningest coach in program history, with 281 victories.
“He’ll go down as one of the best coaches, if not the best coach, in Reading High history,” said senior guard Myles Grey last season, after Perez topped Jim Gano’s wins record. “All respect to Pete Carril and everybody else, his name’s going to be remembered for a very long time.”
Indeed, the Red Knights – despite decades of excellence – were never able to clear that final state hurdle until Perez, with future NBA player Lonnie Walker IV riding shotgun, was able to crack the code in 2017. They won again in 2021, clearing many Covid-related hurdles to achieve the title.
“I don’t think you can ignore what Rick Perez has done, in terms of giving young players something to aspire to and building a culture that produces winning all the time, and championships,” said former Reading High great Stu Jackson earlier this year.
“I don’t think there’s a team that plays harder than they do, which really shows home much those players believe in themselves and believe in him,” said Jackson, who has coached in the NBA and at the Division I college level. “The attitude of just not giving up, and you’re never out of games, just shows through.”
Perez indicated in his letter that assistant coach Francis Camara will be the next head coach, though that is not yet official.
“Every moment with you all has been a blessing,” Perez wrote in his letter to the booster club. “Your love, support and passion have been a driving force to motivate us to want to be better. We wanted to make each of you proud and make you smile.
“We’ve shared so many amazing moments together . . . I will forever be grateful for these moments. I hope you realize the power in our unity, please make sure that remains at the forefront of our efforts. Make sure the players remain at the forefront of everything we do.”
Perez thanked Dr. James Goodhart and his wife Carol Ann, founders of the Squires Club.
As for the next coach:
“Francis Camara will be an outstanding coach,” Perez wrote. “Since his arrival to this staff he has elevated the program, staff and community. Coach Camara is responsible for leading the charge the last two years of the development of the players, he has what it takes.”
Perez leaves with a 281-74 record and .791 winning percentage. In addition to the state championships, Perez’s teams won five District 3 championships, six Berks Conference championships and 10 division titles.
The team’s 32-1 finish last season was the best, by winning percentage, in program history. The 1982-83 team also won 32 games.
The Red Knights enter this season with a much younger lineup after graduating it’s top three scorers – Ruben Rodriguez, Aris Rodriguez and Grey – as well as starter Amier Burdine. The top returning player is Yadiel Cruz.
