The Covington community is mourning the loss of Al Harden, a longtime basketball coach, former player, husband, father and grandfather who died on October 6, 2026, at the age of 82.
Harden, formerly of Covington, was born November 18, 1943, in Danville, Illinois, to Effrey Fritch and Thelma Dixon Harden. Throughout his life, he built a strong connection to basketball, education, family and the communities where he lived and worked.
A Life Built Around Basketball
Harden was a graduate of Covington High School and was part of the school’s historic 1960 basketball team that made a deep run in the state tournament. He also played baseball during his high school years.
His basketball career continued at Indiana University, where he played for four years after receiving a scholarship. He eventually earned his bachelor’s degree and began a coaching career that would take him to several different programs.
From 1965 through 1970, Harden served as the first head basketball coach at Fountain Central High School. He also taught history while coaching and became an important influence on young athletes.
His coaching career later took him to Colorado, where he worked as an assistant coach at the University of Denver before becoming the school’s head coach. His contributions to basketball were recognized in 2023 when he was inducted into the Greater Illiana Sports Hall of Fame.
After coaching, Harden continued working in the sports world through his career as an executive with Converse Incorporated. In that role, he worked with professional athletes and coaches across a variety of sports. His professional experience included signing well known figures such as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
Family and Community Remember Al Harden
Outside of sports, Harden placed great importance on his family and faith. During retirement, he enjoyed spending time at Woodland Heights Christian Church in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he developed friendships and remained active in the community.
He is survived by his wife, Myrna Lynn Coleman Harden, sons Rob Harden of Covington and Roger Harden of Carrollton, Kentucky, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Rodney Harden.
Visitation for Harden will be held Saturday, October 17, at Sterling Christian Church in Veedersburg from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m., with Jon Elardo officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Covington.
Family, friends and former players will have an opportunity to remember Harden and celebrate a life that connected basketball, education, faith and family. His legacy will remain tied not only to his accomplishments in the sport but also to the people he influenced throughout his career and personal life.
