High school basketball: Bellarmine finds its next coach

SAN JOSE — Alex Sarrett, an assistant on Bellarmine’s basketball coaching staff for the past decade, has been promoted to head coach, the school announced Friday.

The hire comes more than six weeks since Patrick Schneider retired after a 30-year run that included 14 Central Coast Section and six West Catholic Athletic League championships, along with 534 victories.

“I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to lead the next chapter of Bellarmine basketball,” Sarrett said in a statement. “Being named head coach of this incredible program is a tremendous honor. Thank you to the Bellarmine administration and hiring committee for trusting me to carry on the school’s rich traditions and culture.”

In addition to assisting Schneider, Sarrett has coached in Top Flight Elite’s AAU program since 2012.

He is a full-time staff member at Bellarmine.

Athletic director Kevin Saldivar, in a statement, said of Sarrett: “He has proven himself in his 9 years to be a great leader and teacher of the game and someone who is well respected by his players and those around him. We are confident Coach Sarrett will build upon the tradition of Bellarmine basketball and take the program to new heights.”