Cypress College Picks Assistant Bottiaux to Be Coach of Men’s Basketball Team

Paul Bottiaux, an assistant for the Cypress men’s basketball team the last seven seasons, is the new Charger coach, the college announced Wednesday.

Bottiaux, 47, replaces Don Johnson, who announced his retirement last month. Johnson, the winningest men’s basketball coach in state history, had a 588-259 record in 27 years.

Cypress won two State titles and seven conference titles under Johnson. The Chargers were 15-19 and tied for fifth in the Orange Empire Conference last season.

“I’m not replacing him,” Bottiaux said of Johnson. “I’m just the next guy in line. Having been in the program, I’m kind of close to the tradition that Don (and assistant Jack Long) established here. I feel like I’m part of the family.”

Bottiaux coached the Sonora boys’ basketball team for 10 years before coming to Cypress.