In 1977, Disco still ruled the dance floor. A Georgia peanut farmer became President of the United States. And Elvis Presley died. Locally, Boothbay Region High School had a new basketball coach who guided the team for the next 43 seasons. I.J. Pinkham arrived in Boothbay Harbor in the fall of 1976 as a math teacher and basketball coach with five varsity seasons under his belt. During his coaching career, Pinkham’s teams had 659 wins, a 2001 Class C State Championship, and joined the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

In 2019-20, Pinkham guided Boothbay to a 15-3 mark and a semifinal berth in the Class C South tournament. Boothbay lost twice to eventual state champion Winthrop, but defeated the Ramblers in the Mountain Valley Conference championship game. Despite a strong season and several key players returning, Pinkham decided shortly after the season, his 49th would be his last.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while and during the season decided this would be it,” Pinkham said. “I’ve really enjoyed the kids. We had a good season, and I didn’t want to leave the cupboard bare for a new guy. So, I decided it was time.”

Pinkham is the winningest coach in Maine high school boys’ basketball history. He trails only Dexter native Richard “Dick” Barstow, who coached six northern and eastern Maine girls teams to 664 wins for the most high school coaching wins. Both men are members of Maine’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Pinkham entered the hall in 2016 with 21 other individuals. One of his fellow entrants had a profound impact on Pinkham as a player and coach.

In the mid-1960s, Pinkham played for Len MacPhee at Farmington State College. MacPhee stressed playing the game with dignity. Pinkham’s coaching style is modeled after MacPhee, who amassed 322 collegiate victories at the Farmington school in 31 seasons. Pinkham credits MacPhee and his numerous talented players in Boothbay and Buckfield over the past 49 years with his coaching success.

“What is really nice is my college coach Len MacPhee is in the same induction class. He is a big part of the reason I got into coaching. My induction is also a reflection of all the wonderful players I’ve had over the years, and strong support I’ve gotten from the school administration and community.”

Pinkham began coaching in his second year as a Buckfield High School teacher in 1970. He spent five years coaching the Bucks before moving in 1976 to BRHS. His teams are known for playing a fast-tempo style and being perennial tourney contenders. Pinkham’s players are also known for being respectful of their opponents, referees and teammates.

Pinkham’s love of basketball began as a child. He began playing the game as a youth in Millbridge in Washington County. As a youngster, Pinkham loved the game so much, his father removed one of the house’s rafters so his son and friends could play basketball inside. Pinkham played four years for Milbridge High School. He doesn’t recall how many points he scored in his high school days, but his game-high was 53 against Jonesboro.

Pinkham never played in the Class S tournament in Bangor, but as a coach, his team won a Gold Ball in 2001. Boothbay defeated Piscataquis Community High School of Guilford. “That team really loved to play basketball. We’d practice all week and they’d find time to play on their own on Sundays,” he said. 

In 1965, Pinkham enrolled at Farmington State College and played four basketball seasons. Pinkham’s teammates included two others who made significant contributions as Maine basketball coaches. Dick Meader, a 2015 Maine Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, coached college basketball for 40 seasons. He was a five-time coach of the year, and co-founder of the Pine Tree Basketball Clinic in Waterville. Another teammate, Chandler Woodcock, coached the Mount Blue High School girls team to two Class A State championships. Woodcock is the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife commissioner and was the Republican Party’s candidate for governor in 2010.

In college, neither Pinkham nor Woodcock saw a lot of playing time. But both learned the game from MacPhee’s tutelage.“He had a low-key style. He never yelled, shouted or used profanity. I liked his approach and it is a huge influence on the way I coach,” Pinkham said. Woodcock described Pinkham as a “coach” even while the two “rode the pine” at Farmington. “I.J. played quite a bit more than I did, but we mostly watched together and you could tell then he was the ultimate team player,” Woodcock said. “He was always talking about how this player would work better in this slot, or this player combination would work better. He really had a terrific mind for the game at an early age.”

Each of the Hall of Fame Class of 2016 inductees had a presenter who spoke about the recipient’s accomplishments. Pinkham chose his son, Tim, who played on the Boothbay Region’s 2001 State Championship team. Tim Pinkham described what it was like when he and his brother, Matthew, played basketball for the man everybody in town calls “Coach.” The younger Pinkham also described his father’s “old school” approach to the game. The son used the example of the coach wanting his players to be clean shaven and dressed appropriately on game day.

“He carried a razor in his med kit for players who hadn’t shaved on game day. Coach also required his players to wear a shirt and tie on game day,” Tim Pinkham said. The son also talked about how important it was for his father’s teams to leave a good impression on the court. Tim Pinkham said his father was as proud of his teams’ several sportsmanship awards as he was for the numerous times his teams made the tournament. He also said a staple of his father’s teams was playing the game the right way. “He expects his players to show respect for the refs, opponents, and each other. You’re representing the school and community, which was evident by the many times his teams walked into the Augusta Civic Center and received standing ovations from the Boothbay fans,” Tim Pinkham said.

Tim Pinkham also shared what it was like being the coach’s son. During the previous football season, he had unknowingly injured his arm which hampered his shooting ability during basketball season. During a game, the coach said: “Don’t pass it to Tim, he’s only a defensive player.” The son also recalled after a tough practice, the coach quickly reverted into becoming a dad when they arrived home.

During his 49 years coaching, high school basketball has undergone many changes. A half century ago, there was no 3-point shot, a dribbler had to break the 28-foot mark in five seconds, and there was no alternating possession rule so the game had dozens of jump balls. And for this math teacher, the 3-point shot was one he had the most trouble embracing. “We had a strong inside game and I really didn’t adapt to it quickly, but it really changed the game by opening up the entire floor.”  But for Pinkham, a couple things  haven’t changed. “The interaction with the players is both the best part of coaching and most challenging, too.”

Pinkham, 74, isn’t done coaching. He may serve as an assistant. While the “Coach” won’t be on the sidelines next winter, he plans on seeing plenty of basketball. He has two sets of grandchildren in the Boothbay and Camden regions, and will be cheering them on from the stands.