Not since 1993 had Pat Abel been just a fan of basketball.

That was when he became a fresh face on the Port Neches-Groves coaching staff straight out of graduation from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Until recently, Abel didn’t have to make what he calls a life change regarding his coaching career. He’s stepping down as the Indians’ head coach after 19 seasons, the last of which was the program’s most successful in number of victories in nearly four decades.

“I think the Good Lord showed me it was the right decision,” Abel, 48, said in reference to an 18-15 record including a playoff berth this past winter. “I think I will enjoy being a fan again.”

Abel plans to remain a teacher at PNG, where he graduated in 1988 after moving from his native southern Illinois. He said athletic director Brandon Faircloth, who could not be reached, has been “great” about giving him an option to step down and remain in a teaching position.

Abel did not know his overall coaching record, but said he “had a few wins and a few losses.” He added 18 victories were the most for an Indians team since the 1981-82 team won 25 games.

This past season included a number of big moments for Abel and Co., including the Bridge City Cardinal Classic championship, a victory over Nederland at The Reservation that ended a 13-year unbeaten drought (approximately 27 games) in the Mid-County Madness rivalry for the Bulldogs and a tiebreaker victory over Cleveland for the fourth and final playoff seed from District 21-5A. PNG lost its bi-district game to Texas City.

“He’s a good friend of mine,” said Nederland coach Brian English, who like Abel is coaching his alma mater and played against him in high school. “He’s a very good professional. He’s served his community and school district well.”

English said Abel’s teams were best at controlling the tempo of the game to give his team the best chance to win.

“Some of his best teams, we barely won,” English said. “He did a fantastic job.”

The winning moments from this past season, plus the fact that his three children are growing up, gave Abel cause to hang up the whistle. Both of his sons, 2016 PNG graduate Ryan Abel and current senior Riley Abel, played under him, and daughter Rachel is a sophomore soccer player for the Indians.

“I think I had a really good run,” he said. “I’m really blessed to be here. … We’ve had a good season. It’s a good way to end up.

“It’s kind of a life change. I hadn’t had to make a life change in 26 years.”

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews