Sports

Santa Margarita Catholic Finds a New-Old Coach for Girls Basketball

Craig DeBusk replaces Matt Houser, who recently resigned to pursue a coaching position at the collegiate level.

From Santa Margarita Catholic High School: 

Santa Margarita Catholic High School is pleased to announce the hiring of Craig DeBusk as the new head girls basketball coach. 

DeBusk replaces Matt Houser, who recently resigned to pursue a coaching position at the collegiate level. DeBusk had been an assistant varsity coach for the Santa Margarita boys’ basketball program from 1998-2008, coaching with his dad, Jerry DeBusk.

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“We just made a hire that is going to take our girls program to the next level,” Athletic Director Rich Schaaf said emphatically. “We now have an on-campus presence that is 100% dedicated to this school, this team, and these players.”

In coach DeBusk’s last year of coaching the boys, he served as the associate head coach and was part of the 2008 division 3 state title with a record of 30-5. As an assistant with the boys team, Coach DeBusk was part of three League titles, four CIF runner up’s (2003-2006), three CIF titles (1998, 2004, and 2005) and two California State Titles (1998 and 2008).

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Principal Ray Dunne is looking forward to having Coach DeBusk on board and continuing to build upon a sturdy girls’ basketball foundation.

“Coach DeBusk brings a wealth of basketball experience to his new role both as a player and coach.  He possesses a strong worth ethic coupled with a desire to help develop the basketball skills and talents of our Lady Eagles in a program based on our charism of Caritas Christi.”

Coach DeBusk took some time away from coaching to start a family with his wife Kelly and are blessed to have a 5-year-old daughter (Hayden) and a 2-year-old son (Brady).

DeBusk is excited to get back on the hardwood and lead the defending CIF 3A Champions back to another title game.

“I want to thank Principal Dunne and Rich Schaaf for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Santa Margarita Girls Basketball program. I look forward to a great year and I am excited to get back in the game.”

Despite the departure of Houser, DeBusk will keep the entire coaching support staff from the frosh soph to the varsity level, including the promotion of assistant coach Lindsay Allen to associate head coach. Coach DeBusk will be entering his 18th year of teaching in the Diocese of Orange and 12th year at SMCHS as a Health Science Teacher.


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