Prep Football: Del Norte High names new football coach

Patrick Coleman, the defensive coordinator for perennial San Diego Section power Oceanside for six years, has been named the next Del Norte High football coach.

The art teacher at Del Norte High will replace Leigh Cole, who stepped down in December after four years at the helm.

“We are confident coach Coleman will be a great ambassador and leader for our football program,” Del Norte athletic director Mike Giaime wrote in a press release. “We are thrilled to have coach Coleman leading the Nighthawks and look forward to continuing to develop a competitive football program.”

Coleman has been coaching locally for over 16 years. He started his career at Madison High in 1997. He coached at Mira Mesa from 1999-2003 before becoming an assistant coach and varsity defensive coordinator at University City High. He left there in 2008 to work with Oceanside coach John Carroll. He took last season off from coaching.