Hall-of-fame boys basketball coach Tim Kelly dies after long cancer battle
All-time winningest coach in 4A retired in 2025 after winning five WIAA championships with Curtis, Lincoln of Tacoma
In WIAA Class 4A boys basketball, Tim Kelly’s success was unmatched.
He’s the only coach in state history to lead different programs to multiple WIAA championships — three at Curtis High School and two at Lincoln of Tacoma.
When he retired nearly 17 months ago from Curtis, he left with 581 victories — most ever in the 4A ranks.
And for nearly half of his 32-year coaching career, Kelly battled Stage 4 prostate cancer, which he died from Monday at his home in University Place. He was 65.
Kelly, who retired after the 2024-25 season, said the physical damage cancer had taken on his body was too much to handle, especially his mobility.
“It was physically challenging,” Kelly said in a private setting with a couple of reporters at the time. “It really came down to — I wasn't able to coach like I'm used to coaching."
Kelly won his three 4A championships at Curtis in 2013, 2022 and 2023. Prior to that, he led Lincoln to back-to-back 4A titles in 2001 and 2002.
His five career 4A titles is tied with Garfield’s Al Hairston for most in Washington state history.
In 2010 — a year before his cancer diagnosis — Kelly became the youngest inductee into the WIBCA hall of fame.
Kelly is survived by his wife, Gini; and his two daughters, Annie and Katy.