Brian de la Porte will not return as head coach of Patterson High School's varsity boys basketball team next season.

The 1999 Ceres High grad made the announcement in February.

"I'm thankful they gave me the opportunity by hiring me last school year," de la Porte said. "I really enjoyed working with the kids. This year, we had a great group. We were building something good. I also met some good people out there that I'll have life friendships with."

Brian, 33, coached at Patterson for two seasons. The Tigers amassed a 31-25 record and participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs twice.

"It all starts with the kids," he said. "I try to make them better people and players. On a personal level, I coach because I'm addicted to the competition. You don't want to lose. You try to outwork everybody. I just love basketball. I've been around it my entire life."

Patterson compiled a 17-12 overall record, finished second in the Western Athletic Conference standings (9-3) and won one of two games in the 2014-15 Division-III postseason tournament.

"We had a pretty good year," de la Porte said. "We were two possessions away from being co-champions in the WAC. We made the playoffs again."

Ideally, de la Porte would love to find teaching and coaching positions in Stanislaus County.

"I'm looking in this area first," de la Porte said. "I'll also look in San Diego. I got a lot of friends down there. It would be awesome to go back to Ceres. The people I care most about are there. It would be a great district to work for."

Brian coached boys hoops at Ceres High School for 13 seasons (2000-2013). The Bulldogs posted a 61-72 record, participated in the playoffs twice and won one WAC title during de la Porte's five-year stint at the varsity level.