FWCD Varsity basketball was coming off a successful 2024-2025 season. Their 18-10 record for Varsity was the school’s best since the 2016-2017 season, and all of the JV teams and middle school teams had winning records as well. The varsity team was led by Head Coach Joe Breedlove ’78, who also directed the Breakthrough program in the Upper School. Then, shortly after the end of the season, Breedlove announced he was stepping down after 27 years as the varsity head coach. Rewind to 1975. Joe Breedlove, a sophomore in the FWCD Upper School, is sitting in the brand new Bass Upper School building, taking a typing class. Little does he know that very room will be his office one day. As part of his visit to the school during the admission process, he is taken to a track event at Greenhill, where he makes a new friend who ultimately becomes his brother-in-law. During the winter athletics season, he steps onto the court to play basketball, not knowing that he would later become the face of that program.

At that time, he was just a student-athlete at FWCD. He had just moved to Country Day frompublic school, and his younger brother, Stephon, joined him here two years later as a rising junior. Their parents knew the value of a college education and sacrificed to send their kids to a good college prep school. To the School’s credit, Stephon was completely blind after contracting Glaucoma at age 4, and FWCD was one of the only private schools that would accommodate him.

“My dad worked hard, and he was smart. He excelled in the construction field, working long hours and educating himself in the industry. Now that I am an educator, I like to say ‘much like my father, he succeeded in construction, I have had the chance to excel in constructing young people’s lives,’” Breedlove said.

Alongside both parents in the household, the Breedlove boys had their maternal great-grandmother living with them, who was another big influence in their lives. “I was fortunate enough for my great-grandmother to live with us,” Breedlove said. “My mom’s mom had passed away when she was 12, and so she was pretty much raised by her. Growing up, she basically lived with us in the house the entire time. It’s amazing how you’re able to pick up certain things that stick with you, and she only had a middle school education. […] she would watch me receive these trophies and awards, and she would say, ‘You’ve got to have something in your head, because you can’t always outrun Jesus on Fridays and Saturdays!’”

His parents made it clear that education was always prioritized over sports. Breedlove played football, basketball, and track, but still maintained good grades. His brother Stephon did the same, and despite his blindness, he was the star on the wrestling team. Joe and Stephon both had a passion for sports, and they found the best way to tune in to games was to listen on the radio. Breedlove says that he still loves to listen to games on the radio as much as he loves to watch them. The Breedloves were lucky enough to play for some of the best sports teams FWCD has ever seen. 

“We were blessed to have some good teams during that time period,” Breedlove said. “I played on two undefeated football teams, and my whole career in high school, I only lost two games. As for basketball, we won two SPC championships during a three-year period. Senior year, we were 33-3 and won the championship, and we were the first team in school history to win the track and field championship.”

Despite all the wins, Breedlove insists that something else was more important. “That was pretty fun, and you know, those stories and accolades, they tarnish and sometimes get embellished. But the friendships you garner and develop are priceless,” Breedlove said. Breedlove graduated from FWCD in 1978 and decided to stay local by attending Texas Christian University as a business major. Additionally, he decided to walk-on to the TCU football team. He was redshirted his freshman season, or in other words, he retained his four seasons of eligibility.

Breedlove worked hard to earn a place on the team. When the special teams unit went out to practice early, Breedlove volunteered to field punts and kicks. Despite being an all-SPC halfback at Country Day, he wasn’t quite built for it at a collegiate level. “They used to tell me that I weighed a buck 0’five,” Breedlove said.  He played wide receiver instead.

In his sophomore year (1980), Breedlove remembered being called into the coach’s office one morning. “I remember, he sat me down and started with ‘Joe, we’re moving you to another position here.’ I was playing wide receiver at the time, and I’m thinking I’m not gonna be able to stay on the team. Then he goes, ‘We’re gonna give you a scholarship.’ I remember I cried. And called my parents. My dad was working, so I called my mom, and she started clapping and crying, enjoying that peace,” Breedlove said.

Now at defensive back, the TCU team was preparing for the 1980 season. One day, during the walkthrough before a game, the player ahead of Breedlove went down with a knee injury. All of a sudden, Breedlove was the starter, and he played all 11 games of the season. He even recorded an interception.

Breedlove especially remembers one game in that 1980 season when the Frogs played the soon-to-be National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. One of the Bulldogs’ stars was dynamic running back Herschel Walker. 

“My claim to fame […] which I think you guys will appreciate, and you can probably pull it up in an ESPN highlight… so [Walker] gets the ball, breaks through his man. I run at him, and I am not afraid. I get to him, and well, he’s so powerful and so strong, I’m projectile into the air as he pushes me out of bounds. So, it’s one of those things where it’s a highlight for me, but I suppose some folks would call it a lowlight,” Breedlove laughed. Although his efforts were not all for loss during the game, as he later had an interception.

Despite the lack of success for the TCU team during that time period, Breedlove enjoyed being on the team. He also joined the TCU track team, which met with more success. He was a local hero, and he recalls seeing many of his friends cheering for him from the stands. Being so close to his former high school then, Breedlove volunteered to coach an FWCD 6th- grade basketball program in the spring. His coaching career was off.

“Lo and behold, 39 years later, I’m still here,” Breedlove said.

While he was busy, Breedlove worked hard to maintain good grades. “I did not want to be stereotyped as a dumb jock,” Breedlove said.  He completed his undergraduate degree in four years, then returned to TCU for a graduate degree. Luckily, at the same time, a full-time position as an assistant coach opened up at FWCD. Breedlove really enjoyed this job and thought it was extra fun to be working alongside the coaches who coached him just a few years prior. It still was a lot of work. 

“Back then, we coached three seasons,” Breedlove said. “Both middle and high school, and we taught six classes of PE.”

After a few years of this, Breedlove got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He had gotten to know champion tennis player Martina Navratilova, who asked Breedlove to be her personal trainer. In 1986, she asked Breedlove to go on a tour with her. He accepted, joining Navratilova’s personal team and for four years, they travelled out of state for roughly 50 weeks of the year. Breedlove realized that this wasn’t what he wanted to do forever. “While it can look glamorous on the outside, it is tough, tough […] You know when it’s time to make a change,” Breedlove said. In 1990, Navratilova and Breedlove agreed he would step away from the team and stay in Fort Worth.

Luckily, a position had just opened up back at – guess where? – Fort Worth Country Day. Breedlove returned as the head coach of the boys and girls track teams, remaining as an assistant for other sports. He recalled that most of the coaches were teacher-coaches, but there were a few exceptions, like himself. A year later, in 1991, the head coach position for basketball opened up. Breedlove was named the new head coach, and the rest is history.

Stepping away from the court, Coach Breedlove looks to his family, He has a loving wife and two children, both FWCD alums. Funny enough, even Breedlove’s family comes back to Country Day.

Remembering that track meet he visited at Greenhill while going through the FWCD admission visitation, Breedlove said he noticed one other black person participating in the meet. He was on the Greenhill side, so Breedlove went over to him to talk. After that initial conversation, the two became close friends, hanging out a lot together over the next couple of years. Breedlove soon got to know his friend’s little sister, Andrea. As young adults, Breedlove and Andrea began dating. In fact, their first date was at the FWCD Homecoming Dance, where they served as chaperones. 

When he tells the story, Breedlove says that everyone looks at him and asks, “you took her to a high school dance, and she still stayed with you.” 

Sure enough, Andrea stuck with him. The two got married in 1993. Andrea initially had a job as an intervention counselor at hospitals, but her passion was in education. She went on to be a high school counselor. The couple had two children: McKenna ’14 and Joseph ’17. Joseph is following in the footsteps of his father, becoming a PE teacher and coach at FWCD. In order to differentiate between the two Breedloves, students call the younger Coach Breedlove “J.B.”

Family is especially important to Breedlove, and he is very close to his brother. He believes that a big lesson can be learned from everything Stephon has accomplished.  “He found his niche in athletics, and he’s probably the greatest wrestler I know,” Breedlove said. “He went to the University of Texas, earned his law degree, and wrestled and was later named to the Texas Wrestling Hall of Fame. His wife also went to Texas and is blind. Together, they’ve raised two wonderful kids. […]That’s why it’s tough for me to swallow and listen to someone talk about things they can’t do. Because for all my life, I’ve watched this individual… just soar while not being able to physically see.”

Breedlove got to coach his son in basketball, which was one of the most special parts of his coaching career. “It was great to coach my son,” Breedlove said. “I don’t know how much he liked it, but it was neat.” He also recalls his team back in 1992. He remembers that the team’s first game, they didn’t score a single point in the first quarter. Fast forward, and that team was the SPC Champions for their division.

“I’ve been in school for most of my life, either as a student or as an educator,” Breedlove said. “I like the pace—just going, going, going, going all the time. That’s my thing. It’ll be tough sitting in the bleachers, but I’ll enjoy spending time with my family, making that more of a priority.”

Breedlove definitely leaves big shoes to fill for the next head coach. He has had a profound effect on the community. He has many memories with his players that will be looked back upon fondly. The seniors especially remember one fun trip to Callisburg. Breedlove also found a way to make his practices fun. One of his players’ favorite parts of practice was at the start, when he would provide an inspirational quote. Breedlove has been an inspiration with more than just his quotes.

“One of the most hard-working and caring people I know,” Jackson Bloemendal ’25 said. “Always shows up to school and practice with a smile on his face and happy to be there! He taught me to never back down from a challenge and strive to be the best version of yourself in everything you do!”

“I’ve known him since kindergarten,” Liam Kuperman ’28 said. “He helped me learn that you need to work for what you get on and off the court.”

“Breedlove has taught me to stay on my feet and never let anyone push me down,” Chase Hatfield ’28 said. “He is such a kind and thoughtful person. He puts others before himself.”

When asked about what he wanted to be remembered for, Breedlove said. “That I cared. I always say a legacy isn’t about what you leave for someone, it’s what you leave in someone. It’s about the person. Every day is a holiday, every meal is a banquet. I’m passionate about what I do […] And that I was a good teacher.”

All you have to do is look at all of the quotes from his players to be able to say… mission accomplished.

Luckily, Coach Breedlove will still be staying around the Country Day campus. He’ll continue his work as the Director of Breakthrough and will still be an assistant coach for track, so he’ll still be able to give his iconic “fire it up” chant at pep rallies. Though he may be stepping off the court, Coach Breedlove’s legacy will echo through the halls and hearts of Country Day for generations to come.