Rancho Santiago’s Pagett Taking a Sabbatical

Dana Pagett, Rancho Santiago men’s basketball coach for the last 13 seasons, is going on sabbatical next fall, he said Tuesday.

Ray Rodriguez, Pagett’s assistant the last five seasons, will take over in his one-season absence.

Pagett has been the object of several rumors this spring, including one that had him becoming an assistant at USC.

“There has been talk of me going a lot of different places,” Pagett said. “But as of right now, I have no firm plans, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Pagett, a former USC standout, took over for Rolland Todd at Rancho Santiago in 1982 and has a record of 287-138. He led Rancho Santiago to State titles in 1990 and 1991. His teams were the first to repeat as State champions in 25 years.

The Dons were 23-9 last season, finished third in the Orange Empire Conference, and reached the second round of the State playoffs before being eliminated by Ventura, the eventual champion.

Pagett said he will continue to work with Rancho Santiago during the summer.

“I’ve been coaching for 23 years,” Pagett said. “Now I have an opportunity to take a semester off, so I’m going to.”