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CHS boys hoops coach steps down to fill same position at Patterson
Brian de la Porte led Bulldogs to WAC crown during 2010-11 season
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Brian de la Porte coached boys basketball at Ceres High for 13 years, including five at the varsity level. - photo by Dale Butler

Brian de la Porte has been hired to coach varsity boys basketball and teach health and physical education at Patterson High School, beginning in 2013-14.

Brian made the announcement on May 15.

"The whole process has been bitter sweet," said de la Porte, a 1999 CHS graduate. "I'm leaving Ceres. It's pretty crazy. It's starting to sink in. I'm going to miss the kids. That's the hardest thing. I still love them. But it's an opportunity I can't pass up. I'm excited and happy to go to Patterson. Change is good sometimes."

Brian, 32, coached boys hoops at Ceres High School for the past 13 seasons.

The Bulldogs posted a 61-72 record, participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs twice and won one Western Athletic Conference title during de la Porte's five-year stint at the varsity level.

Ceres High compiled a 14-13 overall record, finished third in the WAC (7-5) and advanced to the Division-III postseason tournament this past season.

The Bulldogs won their first league title in 17 years, went 17-9 and qualified for the playoffs in 2010-11.

"It was a dream come true," said de la Porte, a part-time teacher at West High of Tracy the last two years. "I always wanted to coach at Ceres High School. I built really good relationships with a lot of people. My most memorable moment is winning the league championship. We had a great year."

Patterson and Ceres High will face off twice in WAC play next school year.

Ceres High's gymnasium is named in honor of Phil de la Porte, Brian's father and a longtime coach and athletic director.

"It will be the first time in 39 years a de la Porte hasn't coached a sport at Ceres High," Brian said while talking about his departure. "It's not just a regular game. It's going to be two really good teams playing each other. I'm sure it's going to be fun."

Nick Marchy, a 1997 Ceres High grad, has been coaching varsity football at Patterson for the past two seasons. Marchy left Ceres, because just like de la Porte, couldn't find a full-time teaching position.

"We'll be working together now," de la Porte said. "It makes the transition easier. He's awesome. We'll have a good time out there. I'll coach other sports if they ask me. The main thing is I'm going out there to be a teacher. The basketball part is a bonus. I got lucky. I'm going to a great school."