Former Indian head coach Ron Felling passes away

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 12:40 PM

By Steve Anderson

Tributes have been pouring in from across the state for the legendary former Lawrenceville Indian head basketball coach Ron Felling, who passed away this week at the age of 86.

Felling spent 16 years coaching and teaching at Lawrenceville High School from 1967-1983 and led the Indians to four state championships in 1972, 1974, and 1982-83 along with a third-place finish in 1976. His teams made 5 state tournament appearance and went 14-1. His 1982-83 teams went undefeated with 34-0 records back-to-back.

At Lawrenceville, Felling compiled a 388-77 record and his teams won 12 regionals, 7 sectionals, and 5 super-sectionals. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall of Fame in 1982.

After leaving Lawrenceville, Felling joined Indiana University as an assistant under Bob Knight. During his time there, the Hoosiers won 4 Big Ten titles, reached 2 NCAA Final Fours, and won the 1987 NCAA championship over Syracuse.

Funeral services for Ron Felling are pending.