Santa Margarita High School Basketball Coach Dies

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Well-loved Santa Margarita Catholic High School basketball coach Jerry DeBusk died this week, school officials announced Wednesday.

DeBuck, who coached Santa Margarita boys basketball to five CIF Southern Section and two CIF State Championships, worked at the school for 20 seasons. His age and cause of death were not given.

"For Coach DeBusk, Santa Margarita embodied the values he held dear, an environment where dedicated people came together to become the best version of themselves," a school announcement read. "Known for his work ethic, strategic vision and firm believe in accountability, Coach DeBusk inspired his players to play hard, represent themselves with pride and embrace teamwork."

DeBusk also coached at Newport Harbor for 12 seasons and was an assistant coach at Chapman University when Bob Boyd was the Panthers men's basketball coach, according to The Orange County Register.

He also taught as a teacher in the Auxiliary Studies Program and English Department, the school said.

"Coach DeBusk's legacy is not only reflected in his championships and accolades but also in the countless lives he touched," the statement read. "He was a devoted husband to Pam, a proud father of Teri, Kaylee and Craig, and a loving grandfather."