Paloma girls basketball coach Dale announces resignation

Matt Dale (bottom left) poses with his players after winning the CIF Southern Section title in 2020. (File photo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Matt Dale, the CIF State Coach of the Year after leading the Paloma Valley High girls basketball team to the State Southern Region championship in 2020, announced he has resigned his position.

Dale led the Wildcats to the Southern Section Division 4AA title that year before the team won the State Southern Regional crown to qualify for the State championship game. Unfortunately, that game was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paloma Valley finished with a 34-3 record.

“I’m the same coach who coached a six-win team two years ago,” Dale said at the time. “Players matter. This award is humbling and such an honor. It’s beyond anything I could’ve imagined when I started coaching at age 18.”

The Wildcats were led that season by CIF-SS Player of the Year Mya Pierfax and All-CIF players Sydney Woodley and Trinitee Bradlee. Overall, it was one of the most dominant seasons ever posted by a Menifee area high school team.

After a 6-20 season in 2017-18, the Wildcats put together a 19-10 record the next season before their breakout season in 2019-20. In a COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, Paloma Valley posted a 13-5 record and advanced to the semifinals of the State Southern Regional tournament. This past season, the Wildcats were 12-7.

Dale, who is a teacher at Paloma Valley, said he is not seeking another coaching position at this time.

“I’m really just freeing up a lot more time and head space to pour into my family,” Dale said.