Dan Del Porto, long time assistant to coaching icon Jim Yerkovich, has been named head boys' basketball coach at Judge Memorial Catholic High School.

“This is obviously a very bittersweet time for me,” said Del Porto, a 1985 graduate of Judge Memorial. “I would not have pursued the profession I did without the impact that Coach Yerkovich had on me. I feel very blessed to have had the experience I did with Coach. It’s meant a great deal to me.”

Knowing he is following a legend is not very far from his thoughts.

“I am aware of the challenges, certainly. I know I have big shoes to fill,” he said. “Regardless of the decades I have had as an assistant, I’m starting now as a rookie coach with all the expectations that come with that. A challenge, sure, but I’m ready to go.”

He has already implemented one of the first lessons he learned from his mentor, that of “surrounding yourself with good people. Right now, we’re focused on the Alhambra Catholic Invitation Tournament, and getting the team ready for that experience. We’ll take some time as a staff when we return to figure out our next steps.”

Noting that Judge athletes are often not just basketball players, or football players or lacrosse players, Del Porto acknowledges that can be an issue for some. “Here at Judge, we have to have multi-sport athletes to be successful and our students have bought into that. I have always been a big proponent of encouraging students to do everything they want to do. I believed in that when I was athletic director and I preach the same thing now as a counselor.”

One thing he does do, however, is encourage players to take the time to work on their game. “Even if they only get into the gym once a week to work on their shots that can make a difference.”

Acknowledging that coaching has changed significantly since he started back in the 1980’s, Del Porto remarked that it is now a 12-month job. “To run a successful program, there is a level of commitment required year-round that can be consuming. But I knew that going in. I wanted to be involved with the kids and to be around the game. That year-round aspect has changed, even in the past 10 years or so. But this is what I’ve wanted. For me, it’s really an honor and privilege to be the head coach at Judge. And it’s made even more so knowing who I’m following.”

Rick Bartman, principal at Judge, said that Del Porto is well-prepared for this new chapter in his life. “As far as mentors go, Dan couldn’t have asked for a better one than Jim. They have worked closely over the years, and Jim has been very inclusive in his coaching style. Dan’s ready for this opportunity.”

Del Porto said not to expect many changes from the previous 44 years, saying the core similarities will remain the same. “What I know is successful is what Coach taught me, and it’s hard to argue the success we’ve had here at Judge. Our focus on the individual will remain. Our focus on the ‘We’ philosophy will remain. I definitely believe that athletics are a way to improve yourself as a person, and that won’t change.”

And then he laughed, saying, “okay, maybe we’ll play more zone defense.”

Brief resume

• Judge Memorial assistant boys’ basketball coach, 1986 to 2010
• Grew up in Magna, Utah
• Attended Judge beginning his sophomore year; graduated from Judge in 1985
• Graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in psychology in 1990
• Earned a master’s degree in exercise and sports science from the University of Utah in 1994
• Earned a master’s in counseling from the University of Phoenix in 1998
• Held a number of positions at Judge Memorial, including health and physical education teacher, athletic director, and guidance counselor