Patterson High School's varsity football program hired a new head coach last month.
Former Bulldog Nick Marchy will take over for Rob Cozart, who left for Merced College.
"Rob stepped down and that was my opportunity," said Marchy, who was promoted on Feb. 11. "I have the support of the kids, coaches and school."
Nick, 32, was an assistant on Cozart's staff for the past six years (2005-10).
Patterson posted a 53-20 record (24-6), qualified for the playoffs six times and won one league title during their time together.
Marchy called offensive plays.
"It's going to be tough to accomplish everything he did," he said. "I think we're going to continue to be successful. The kids understand what it takes to win. They always work hard."
Patterson won its first outright league title in more than 30 years in 2010.
The Tigers ended years of frustration on the final day of the Western Athletic Conference season. Patterson edged visiting Central Catholic, 17-16. The Tigers lost the previous five meetings, including 24-6 in the 2007 Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship game.
Patterson finished 11-2 on the year, undefeated in league play (5-0) and among the top four teams in the Division-III playoffs. The Tigers averaged 33.7 points per game.
Patterson placed second behind Central Catholic in the WAC standings during the 2009, 2007 and 2006 seasons.
"The crowd was going crazy," Marchy said while describing the scene following Patterson's breakthrough win against the Raiders. "It was one of the most exciting times I've had on the football field. It was just great to finally beat Central Catholic. They've been on top for a long time."
Marchy graduated from Ceres High in 1997. He helped coach varsity football for three seasons (2002-04) and JV for two years (2000-01).
"I wanted to stay in Ceres but there was no teaching positions," Marchy said. "Patterson had an opportunity. It's a great place. There's a lot of support."
Nick started teaching P.E. and coaching varsity football at Patterson during the 2005-06 school year.
On Feb. 11, Marchy returned to his alma mater to watch the Ceres High-Patterson varsity boys basketball game. He saw a lot of familiar faces. He even chatted with Bret Durossette, who will begin a second stint as head coach of the Bulldogs' football program in 2011.
Durossette gave Marchy his first coaching opportunity at the varsity level in 2002. Nick worked with Ceres High's defensive backs.
The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 56-12 in football last year.
"It's exciting," Marchy said while talking about the 2011 showdown between Patterson and Ceres High. "It would be a great feeling to beat them. It would mean a lot."
More than 90 prospective football players met with Marchy after-school at Patterson on Feb. 15.
"There's a lot of interest," he said. "Everyone wants to be a part of the program."
The Tigers have a tradition of excellence to maintain.
"I don't think Patterson has won a section championship," Marchy said. "That's our next goal."
Former Bulldog Nick Marchy will take over for Rob Cozart, who left for Merced College.
"Rob stepped down and that was my opportunity," said Marchy, who was promoted on Feb. 11. "I have the support of the kids, coaches and school."
Nick, 32, was an assistant on Cozart's staff for the past six years (2005-10).
Patterson posted a 53-20 record (24-6), qualified for the playoffs six times and won one league title during their time together.
Marchy called offensive plays.
"It's going to be tough to accomplish everything he did," he said. "I think we're going to continue to be successful. The kids understand what it takes to win. They always work hard."
Patterson won its first outright league title in more than 30 years in 2010.
The Tigers ended years of frustration on the final day of the Western Athletic Conference season. Patterson edged visiting Central Catholic, 17-16. The Tigers lost the previous five meetings, including 24-6 in the 2007 Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship game.
Patterson finished 11-2 on the year, undefeated in league play (5-0) and among the top four teams in the Division-III playoffs. The Tigers averaged 33.7 points per game.
Patterson placed second behind Central Catholic in the WAC standings during the 2009, 2007 and 2006 seasons.
"The crowd was going crazy," Marchy said while describing the scene following Patterson's breakthrough win against the Raiders. "It was one of the most exciting times I've had on the football field. It was just great to finally beat Central Catholic. They've been on top for a long time."
Marchy graduated from Ceres High in 1997. He helped coach varsity football for three seasons (2002-04) and JV for two years (2000-01).
"I wanted to stay in Ceres but there was no teaching positions," Marchy said. "Patterson had an opportunity. It's a great place. There's a lot of support."
Nick started teaching P.E. and coaching varsity football at Patterson during the 2005-06 school year.
On Feb. 11, Marchy returned to his alma mater to watch the Ceres High-Patterson varsity boys basketball game. He saw a lot of familiar faces. He even chatted with Bret Durossette, who will begin a second stint as head coach of the Bulldogs' football program in 2011.
Durossette gave Marchy his first coaching opportunity at the varsity level in 2002. Nick worked with Ceres High's defensive backs.
The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 56-12 in football last year.
"It's exciting," Marchy said while talking about the 2011 showdown between Patterson and Ceres High. "It would be a great feeling to beat them. It would mean a lot."
More than 90 prospective football players met with Marchy after-school at Patterson on Feb. 15.
"There's a lot of interest," he said. "Everyone wants to be a part of the program."
The Tigers have a tradition of excellence to maintain.
"I don't think Patterson has won a section championship," Marchy said. "That's our next goal."
