Fred Kellett, 81, died Sunday at St. Joseph's Medical Center. Arrangements are with Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter.
Kellett, the Warriors' head boys' basketball coach for 22 seasons, guided the Warriors to the one-class state championship in 1954. He was the winningest coach in Brainerd basketball history.
Kellett also coached Brainerd to state tournament trips in 1949, 1951 and 1958. The Warriors were runners-up in 1958 and third in 1951. Brainerd won 12 district and four region titles during his tenure.
At Brainerd he compiled a 368-130 career record. Kellett was elected to two state halls of fame and to the Brainerd Hall of Fame.
Bob Miller, who assisted Kellett for 21 seasons, said he has lost one of his best friends.
"We had lots of good times together and some mighty fine memories," said Miller. "I guess we all have to face it sooner or later. We were good friends. We had lots of happy memories and lots of glory days."
Jim Guin was a junior starting forward on the 1954 team.
"Fred was a tough disciplinarian but it paid off in the end for us," said Guin. "I admired him all the way. He was our friend. He kept track of you after you were done playing."
Bill Selisker was a sophomore on the 1951 team and went on to a successful coaching career of his own at Sauk Centre and Crosby-Ironton.
"Fred was a very honest person," said Selisker. "He was very sincere. He was a disciplinarian, the type of person you wanted to win for. He wanted you to go out and break your neck for him. He demanded respect, and everybody gave him his respect. He was one of those coaches who, the guys who played for him, went back to see.
"Fred was a very emotional person. He didn't appear to be outwardly (emotional) but playing for him there were some situations where he really showed his emotions. I got a lot of good ideas from him. I used a lot of his philosophies in my coaching. He was a very dear friend, as well as an excellent coach.
"His record speaks for itself. I really respected the guy. It's a sad day for me and for many of his players.
