Brogan ends 15-year run as Modesto JC men’s basketball coach

Paul Brogan discovered the same harsh truth as his coaching predecessors: It’s difficult to win basketball games at Modesto Junior College.

Athletic director Nick Stavrianoudakis confirmed this week that Brogan, the Pirates’ coach for 15 seasons – the longest run in MJC men’s hoops history – will step down. Brogan is expected to remain on the staff as a health and physical education instructor.

His 205-234 record did not include a league championship. Brogan and his staff often found themselves at a talent deficit in the demanding Big 8 Conference.

“I am proud of what has taken place here at MJC in my 15 years,” Brogan said. “I’ve had outstanding young men in my program, and those relationships will last a lifetime.”

The news was disappointing, given the fact Brogan is a well-known local product who starred at Manteca High School, MJC and Stanislaus State. He coached Manteca to five consecutive postseason appearances before he came to Modesto.

Winning at MJC, however, never is easy. Coaches over the years have struggled to merge local and outside talent, the only formula that has resulted in sustained success.

The Pirates have won only one league title since 1957 – the 1991 Pirates, who overachieved with all local players to share the Camino Norte Conference crown with Merced. Recently, MJC teams have struggled to reach .500 in the Big 8.

Brogan, hired in May 2001, inherited a team that went 2-27 the previous season. Within five years, the Pirates were more than respectable. They won 20 games in 2006 and 22 the following year, the best two-year run in Brogan’s tenure. MJC went 1-1 in the playoffs both seasons.

Modesto soon leveled off, however, and its 18-12 record in 2012 was the last winning season under Brogan. The Pirates advanced four times into the postseason under Brogan, and their tie for third in 2005 was their highest finish in conference play.

The 2016 season illustrated MJC’s small margin for error. The Pirates’ promising start was compromised in December by a season-ending knee injury to 6-foot-4 wing Kevin Howland-Wolaridge. Third-year sophomore Zack Gonzales, a three-point marksman, also missed time because of a shoulder injury. He also was sidelined by what eventually was diagnosed as ulcers.

Gonzales ultimately found his shot and joined fellow guard Mason Washington and 6-8 post Michael Hatfield in a spirited 11th-hour flurry. The Pirates won their final four games and finished 7-7 in the Big 8 and 13-13 overall. They missed the playoffs by one game.

Brogan, who grew weary of the grind in recent years, noted that his son, Troy, and daughter Brooke are approaching high school age.

“I do not want to miss any of their activities,” Brogan said. “These years will go by fast, and I will never be able to get them back.”

Brogan saw 48 of his players continue their basketball careers at four-year schools. He maintains, more than ever, that a conference title and postseason success are possible.

“It can be done, but the pieces have to all fit together. I’ve had some of those years,” he said. “I believe next year’s group with a few added pieces can be a top team.”

One of Brogan’s major contributions was his tireless support of the 16-team MJC Tournament, which celebrated its 78th renewal last winter.

“He is very passionate about basketball and did a great job generating interest in the tournament,” Stavrianoudakis said. “Paul always strived to provide for his team when it came to generating community support and raising funds. That aspect will be hard to match.”

Stavrianoudakis said the process to find Brogan’s successor will begin soon. Early conjecture has centered on two well-credentialed high school coaches in the area: Richard Midgley of Modesto Christian and Scott Thomason of Sierra.

“The program is in great shape with talented hard-working players that are high-character young men who put academics first,” Brogan said. “Whoever the new coach will be gets to step into a great situation.”

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 5:29 PM with the headline "Brogan ends 15-year run as Modesto JC men’s basketball coach."