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His coaching career spanned the better part of six decades, but truth be told, Tom Goodman's love story with hoops actually dates back as long as he can remember -- and always finds its way to Fort Dodge.
"I've watched Dodger basketball since my dad coached them and I was a little kid," Goodman said.
Goodman was born in 1946 -- fittingly, the same year his father, Connie, took the Fort Dodge job. Though the sport took him to many different communities along the way, Goodman has never lost touch with where it all began.
Goodman officially retired from coaching this past spring. He's 80 years old now, and a challenging stretch of health scares finally forced his hand after 57 seasons on the bench.
In late October of 2025, Goodman fell ill at home and found out his blood sugar had spiked to over 1000. He spent the next four-plus weeks in the hospital -- including six days in a coma.
"The doctor told Connie (Goodman's wife) that if she would've waited until morning (to call an ambulance), my odds of staying alive weren't good," Goodman said. "Bless Connie's heart…I'd trade over a thousand Dodger basketball points scored in high school for her thoughtfulness."
Goodman speaks from experience when specifically referencing that total. He's still one of just seven FDSH boys players to reach the 1,000-point plateau, and he was a two-time first team all-state selection with the Dodgers as the school's first and only prep All-American in 1965.
After a successful athletic career on both the basketball court and baseball field at Iowa State, Goodman followed in his dad's footsteps and became a coach. He led unbeaten state tournament-qualifying squads at HLV of Victor (1973) and Sioux City North (1975 and '80), while also guiding the North Stars to Des Moines in 1981, '82 and '83.
In 1987, he jumped at the opportunity to return home and coach his alma mater. Fort Dodge had been a boys state qualifier itself in 1985, '86 and '87, and Goodman knew the Dodgers had what it took to make a run at a championship -- especially with his all-state son, Jay, coming with him to town as part of a package deal.
With Wade Lookingbill -- the state's Mr. Basketball -- and Goodman leading the charge, FDSH won the school's only boys basketball crown.
"Coaching at Fort Dodge in 1987-88 and winning the state title was the biggest thrill in my entire (career)," Goodman said. "A dream come true."
Goodman would later take Saydel to state as well, making him the only boys hoop coach in Iowa high school history to land four different programs in Des Moines. He won 429 overall games spanning 31 seasons, with additional stops at Emmetsburg, Southeast Polk, Sioux City East and West Central Valley.
Goodman wasn't done with the game despite hanging up his head varsity coaching whistle in 2009. He was an assistant girls coach at Waukee and West Central Valley, an assistant on the boys side at Bondurant-Farrar and Saydel, and even served as the sophomore coach at Southeast Polk.
Before the household's health issues this past fall -- Connie fell and broke her leg a week after Tom returned home from the hospital himself -- Goodman was slated to again help at Saydel.
"I have mixed emotions about retiring, but there comes a time to call it quits," Goodman said in the spring. "When I went into the hospital (with diabetes issues), I was 202 pounds. I've lost over 40 pounds since, and have been walking twice a day around my neighborhood. I haven't had any sugar since last November."
Goodman is one of only three coaches -- fellow legends Murray Wier and Bud Bergman are the others -- who have been inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach. Goodman's father, Connie; son, the late Tommy John; and son, Jay are all in the Hall of Fame as well.
At Frontier Days last month, the '88 Dodger boys championship squad was honored. Goodman was a part of the parade with a number of former players and coaches, sharing memories and reminiscing on the one special season where it all came together.
"I had 'shagged the drag' hundreds of times from when I got my license in 1963," Goodman remembered about the Central Avenue strip. "I actually picked up my (future) wife on the drag in '64 and have been with her for over 60 years.
"A lot of memories came back during that parade ride. It was great. I couldn't believe there were that many people (in attendance). It was terrific to see."
The parade was a full circle moment of sorts for Goodman. Aptly, the final chapter of his basketball experience was written with pomp and circumstance on the streets of the community he has always considered home.
Eric Pratt is Sports Editor at The Messenger. Contact him via email at sports@messengernews.net, or on Twitter @ByEricPratt