Longtime Colorado High School Basketball Coach Retires After 16 Seasons

Alan Batiste leaves Durango High School program after leading team to 12 playoff appearances

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color that abstractly represent the court, players, and ball of a high school basketball game, conveying the sport's energy and movement.A cubist interpretation of the energy and movement of a high school basketball game, capturing the sport's dynamism through a fragmented, geometric lens.Tucson Today

Alan Batiste, the longtime head coach of the Durango High School boys' basketball team in Colorado, is retiring after 16 seasons. Batiste led the Demons to 176 wins and 12 playoff appearances, including two Sweet 16 finishes, during his tenure. He is stepping down to focus on his family and health after suffering complications from a surgery.

Why it matters

Batiste's retirement marks the end of an era for the Durango High School basketball program, which he transformed into a powerhouse during his 16-year run as head coach. His departure will leave a significant void that the school will need to fill as it looks to continue the team's success and maintain its status as a perennial playoff contender.

The details

Batiste first joined the Durango High School coaching staff in the 2010-11 season and quickly turned the program around. After a 4-win season in his first year, he led the Demons to six consecutive 10-win seasons from 2011-12 to 2016-17, including a 21-5 record and a Class 4A Sweet 16 finish in 2016-17. Batiste briefly retired after that season to spend more time with his family, but he returned the following year after his assistant declined the head coaching role. In his second stint, he led the team to another Sweet 16 appearance in the 2024-25 season.

  • Batiste joined the Durango High School coaching staff in the 2010-11 season.
  • From 2011-12 to 2016-17, Batiste led the Demons to six consecutive 10-win seasons.
  • During the 2016-17 season, Batiste led the Demons to a 21-5 record and a Class 4A Sweet 16 finish.
  • Batiste briefly retired after the 2016-17 season but returned the following year.
  • In the 2024-25 season, Batiste led the Demons to another Sweet 16 appearance.

The players

Alan Batiste

The longtime head coach of the Durango High School boys' basketball team, who is retiring after 16 seasons with the program.

Dalon Parker

Batiste's former assistant coach who declined the head coaching role when Batiste briefly retired, leading Batiste to return to the team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Sixteen years is a long time to be a head coach, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have led this program. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family and focusing on my health.”

— Alan Batiste, Retiring Head Coach, Durango High School Boys' Basketball

What’s next

The Durango High School administration will now begin the search for a new head coach to lead the boys' basketball program and continue the team's success.

The takeaway

Batiste's retirement marks the end of an era for the Durango High School basketball program, which he transformed into a powerhouse during his 16-year tenure. His departure will leave a significant void, and the school will need to find a new coach who can maintain the team's high level of play and playoff success.