By Fred Robledo
Damien boys basketball coach Matt Dunn is cashing his chips and hoping the grass is greener on the other side.
After leading Damien to the CIF-State Division 3 championship in March to go with his CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA championship in 2013, Dunn announced his resignation at Damien on Tuesday to become the head coach at St. John Bosco where he will compete in the prestigious Trinity League that includes Mater Dei.The 38-year-old Dunn leaves Damien after 12 years, where he compiled a 252-108 record at the school and is 279-131 all-time as a head coach.
It’s a big move for Dunn, who likely received a bump in pay to pry him away from Damien, where he’s had so much success.Dunn was offered the position late last week and struggled with it over the weekend before making a decision.
“It was a tough decision,” Dunn said. “I love Damien, our entire family has put our heart and soul into the school and there are some incredible memories. The coaches and players that I’ve been around I have incredible memories with. Anytime you have to make a decision to leave all that it’s hard.”

Damien finished 29-5 and won the Baseline League, beating out Chino Hills and Rancho Cucamonga in what was arguably the toughest league in Southern California this past season. Although Damien stumbled in the Open Division playoffs, it rebounded to win the school’s first state title with a 70-57 victory over Northern California’s Campolindo in March.

“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments and tradition coach Dunn has infused into our program over the last twelve seasons,” said Damien athletic director Jeff Grant, who at the same time announced there is a coaching opening at the school. “His commitment and dedication to Damien and its student-athletes has been unwavering and it is through his leadership that we have been as successful as we have. We have nothing but fond memories of his tenure and wish him nothing but the best as he embarks on this new chapter of his career.”

Dunn was named the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin coach of the year and also was CalHiSports’ Division 3 state coach of the year.

Dunn’s departure comes at a time when Damien is in complete rebuild mode with star Jeremy Hemsley graduating and going to San Diego State. Also graduating are standouts Malik Fitts, Micah Robinson and there is some talk that junior Bryce Peters might transfer.

Dunn may have felt the time for change is now, but his move to St. John Bosco could be a presser cooker, something much different than the laid back atmosphere he enjoyed at Damien.

“I like the challenge of building a program,” said Dunn, who lives in Glendora. “I won’t change how we do things, we’re going to build it from top to bottom and I’m excited to see if we can do that and still win at this level.

“Ultimately for me, I’m excited for a new challenge. The Baseline league is incredible, but the Trinity is one of the best in the country and the opportunity to consistently compete at that level is an exciting thing.”

St. John Bosco finished 18-13 and tied with Santa Margarita for third in the Trinity this past season. Bosco lost in the first round of the Open Division playoffs and in the second round of the Division I state playoffs.

That apparently wasn’t enough to keep four-year head coach Derrick Taylor, who wasn’t retained.

St. John Bosco principal Casey Yeazel fired Taylor, though Taylor told local media the decision was mutual.

Taylor had a lot of success in his brief tenure, leading Bosco to a Division 3A championship in 2013, and the school’s first-ever state championship in 2014, beating Folsom for the Division II title.

Yeazel, who previously worked at Damien with Dunn, was also a big reason why Dunn felt comfortable with the move.

“He’s obviously a principal I’m familiar with,” Dunn said. “I’m just hoping to go there and build on the tradition that’s already in place.”