Mike LeDuc of Damien Named Boys' Basketball Coach of the Year

The veteran coach guided his team to the state Division I championship

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:10am

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Mike LeDuc, the second-winningest coach in California high school basketball history, has been named The Times' boys' basketball coach of the year after guiding Damien to the state Division I championship. LeDuc, who has been coaching since the 1979-80 season, led a group of "overachievers" to the title at Golden 1 Center despite having little size, relying on their three-point shooting and stifling defense.

Why it matters

LeDuc's coaching accomplishments over his decades-long career, including mentoring standout players like Tracy Murray and Cameron Murray, make him one of the most respected and successful high school basketball coaches in California. His ability to adapt his coaching style to fit the strengths of his current players is a testament to his longevity and skill.

The details

In his 47th season as a high school basketball coach, the 72-year-old LeDuc led Damien to the state Division I championship with a team he fondly called "overachievers." Despite lacking size, Damien relied on its three-point shooting and stifling defense to win the title at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. LeDuc has now won 1,127 games, the second-most in California high school history.

  • LeDuc has been coaching high school basketball since the 1979-80 season.
  • Damien won the state Division I championship in 2026.

The players

Mike LeDuc

The head boys' basketball coach at Damien High School and the second-winningest coach in California high school history with 1,127 career victories.

Tracy Murray

An outstanding player who was coached by LeDuc during his high school career.

Casey Jacobsen

Another standout player who was coached by LeDuc during his high school career.

Cameron Murray

An excellent player who was coached by LeDuc, and whose son CJ is now playing for Damien.

CJ Murray

Cameron Murray's sophomore son, who is currently playing for Damien under Coach LeDuc.

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What they’re saying

“Basketball is a real simple game. It's a game of repetition and if you do it over and over, you expect it to be done perfectly.”

— Mike LeDuc, Head Coach, Damien High School

The takeaway

Mike LeDuc's ability to adapt his coaching style and get the most out of his players, even with a team of "overachievers," has cemented his legacy as one of the most successful and respected high school basketball coaches in California history. His commitment to fundamentals and player development has allowed him to sustain success over nearly five decades on the sidelines.