Jon Felmet just completed his second season as a Head Coach. In his first season, he led the Thunderducks to a 17-14 record (6-6 in M.A.C.). He was able to bring in Metro Athletic All-Conference players including the Freshman of the Year, First and Second Team members, as well as three on the Honorable Mention list. The Thunderducks returned 10 players from last year’s program, including an Honorable Mention NJCAA Division III All-American., so Coach Felmet had higher expectations for the 2008-2009 season.
In just his second season, he led the sophomore heavy T-Ducks to a 14-19 overall record (six non-conference games were forfeited due to an administrative error), but the T-Ducks finished their season by winning the Metro Athletic Conference finishing 9-1, winning the M.A.C. Tournament with two 20 point victories, and made a trip to the Division III NJCAA National Tournament. After beating the #7, #2, and #1 ranked teams with a combined record of 86-8, Coach Felmet had led his team to the school’s second National Championship in a decade, all while winning their last 14 of 15 including eight straight to end the season. He coached one M.A.C. Most Valuable Player, two M.A.C. 1st team members, two M.A.C. 3rd team members, and two M.A.C. Honorable Mention team members, one NJCAA 1st team All-American, and one NJCAA Division III National Player of the Year. Coach Felmet received the Metro Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Region 5 Coach of the Year, Gary Cole Coach of the Year (National Tournament), and the South Padre Island Coaches Clinic Coach of the Year awards.
“Although we have 10 guys returning the highest compliment a coach could have is that 5 of those are on schedule to graduate with their Associate’s Degrees in May, but a couple will need one more summer class to complete their degree.”
Coach Felmet has also been in the M.A.C. Conference as an assistant coach at rival Cedar Valley College. He was there under Coach Kyle Leath from 2003 – 2006 seasons. During that time he helped guide the Suns to back to back fourth place finishes. In his final season the Suns won 10 straight games and started M.A.C. play with a 7-0 record, ultimately finishing in third place. All of the teams advanced to the Region V tournament semi-finals in each year. Coach Felmet was responsible for bringing eight M.A.C. All-Conference honorees, one Freshman of the Year, and four Region V honorees to the Suns program.
After finishing at Richland, he then traveled south to St. Edward’s University, in Austin, Texas, where he was a two year starter for Coach Mike Jones. His senior season at St. Edward’s he led his team to a 17 – 11 finish with a birth in the Heartland Conference Tournament.
Following his eligibility, Felmet completed his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Kinesiology. Upon graduation, he began working on his Master’s Degree while beginning his collegiate coaching career as a Graduate Assistant coach at Midwestern State University.
He received his Master’s Degree in Health and Human Performance from Texas A&M University-Commerce in August.
Coach Carter brings many years of experience and knowledge to the Thunderducks’ staff. “Coach Carter will be very good for our program,” Coach Felmet says. “In one year he has developed a good relationship with our kids and has earned their respect.” He is responsible for the weight program, as well as coaching the defensive end of the floor. “He bring passion and intensity to our defensive,” says Felmet. He will also bring his experience in recruiting to the T-Ducks program.
He has experience at many different levels of basketball. Small and large high schools, private schools, the Junior College level at Jacksonville College, which he helped lead to a #14 NJCAA National Ranking in 1996. Coach Carter has been at the NCAA Division I and II levels at UT-San Antonio and Texas A&M University-Commerce respectively. He has also spent some time at the professional levels. In 2005, he was hired as the Head Coach/Director of Basketball Operation for the Jacksonville Jackals of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in Florida. Prior to being hired at Richland he was the Head Coach for the Tijuana Galgos in the Mexico Professional League.
Christopher Carter was born in Gilmer, Texas to Shirley and the late Robert Carter. He is an enthusiastic sports fan and active with helping youth achieve their dreams. Also, enjoy spending time with his 14 year old daughter (Montana), family, friends and working out.
Coach Carter graduated from New Diana High School in 1989. He lettered all four years in basketball, football, and baseball. Carter attended college at Kilgore and Paris Junior College. He later attended Texas A&M – Commerce, which was formerly known as East Texas State University
He currently serves as the Sport Director for the Southern Sector YMCA’s in Dallas.