Legendary coach Melvin Randall leaves Ely for Chaminade-Madonna. This is what he said.

After turning Blanche Ely High School into the nation’s fourth most successful public school boys’ basketball program in the past decade, Melvin Randall has left the Pompano Beach powerhouse for Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.

Randall, who was inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, brings the Lions instant credibility as a state contender, along with a Mount Rushmore of high school basketball coaches type resume.

He has won a record nine state titles, starting with his first two at Deerfield Beach and his most recent in 2019 with the Tigers, when he won back-to-back for the second time. Randall left Deerfield Beach for Ely in 2002 and compiled a 228-64 record, led the Tigers to three top 15 finishes nationally and earned national recognition when he was named the 2015 USA Today National Boys’ coach of the year.

In an exclusive interview Wednesday, Randall said he feels the same competitive fire facing the challenge of lifting Chaminade to elite status as he did in 2002 when he took over Ely and subsequently turned the team into a state juggernaut.

“I am ecstatic about this new journey,” Randall said. “My goal is to get the Chaminade program up to the IMG and Montverde level and even surpass them. I will continue to work hard and do what I have to do. The good thing about this, is its like a new beginning for me. I am so ready.”

Randall said the timing to leave Ely felt right and added he was thankful for the support he received from the Pompano Beach community, coaching staff and players during a historic run that also had some challenging times.

“My biggest takeaway from Ely and experience is letting people know that even through my differences while being there with certain people I succeeded,” Randall said. “I am blessed to have worked with those kids, the staff I have had and my colleagues. “

Randall’s formula for success is a highly conditioned team that wears opponents down with a quick hitting, three-point shooting offense and relentless man-to-man defense. Randall, who will still teach at Ely for the time being, said his biggest goal is to maximize the potential of each Lions’ player, regardless of their skill level.

“Lions fans can expect when my team walks on that court, they are going to play hard,” Randall said. “They are going to give it their all. It is not going to be a lax moment. It will be an enjoyment of seeing the style that I am going to bring to Chaminade. They can look forward to high intensity basketball.”