After guiding the Sobrato football team to its first ever Central Coast Section playoff win and a second-place finish in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mount Hamilton Division this fall, head coach Nick Borello stepped down from his post Monday.
Borello, who started on the Bulldogs’ coaching staff in 2006, had been the team’s head coach since 2008. In five seasons, Borello finished with an overall record of 31-23. After a 2-8 record in his first year, Borello never finished at or below .500, leading the Bulldogs to the 2011 league title. Today, Sobrato is one of the best programs in the BVAL.
Borello, who was born and raised in Morgan Hill, started his coaching career at his alma mater Palma High, where he helped the Chieftains to five CCS titles from 1997-2003.
His decision to step away was simple for Borello, with a new baby due in April he wanted to spend more time with his family. It was decision made even before the season began.
“We made it before this year,” he said. “Win, lose or draw this was going to be it. It’s time for me to do something that doesn’t take away time with my family.”
He continued: “Everyone has been really supportive with my decision.”
But after getting Sobrato further into the postseason than it ever had this fall, it was a nice way to walk away, he said.
“The decision was made before but I was lucky to have it end that way,” Borello said. “There is still a feeling of being unfinished, though. We never got to the section title game. We wanted to get that chance. Yes, it was a good year to go out on but it could have been better.”
Borello, the third coach in school history, steps away as the longest tenured coach at Sobrato High, becoming the only coach to last more than two years.
He will miss the camaraderie with the players, he said.
“I’ll definitely miss working with the kids, getting them physically better and mentally better,” Borello said. “That’s the part that I’m going to miss the most.”
Borello started as the Bulldogs offensive and defensive line coach in 2006 under former head coach Dan Brown. During his entire time on the football field, Borello has also played a part in the classroom as a teacher. He will remain at the school under the same capacity.
“I will still be here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to take another football job,” Borello said. “I will help out but I won’t be looking over the next coaches shoulder. I’m ready to move onto the next thing in my life. It’s a little bittersweet.”
But Borello leaves the Bulldogs in much better shape than when he started, he said. The Bulldogs sit comfortably in the upper division of the BVAL with plenty of talent in the pipeline.
“This is a good place for someone to step into,” Borello said. “I would expect, with the caliber of young players here, for them to continue to get better and win that title soon.”
Borello will take part in the search for a new coach, he said. Anyone interested in the job can contact Sobrato athletic director April Roland at (408) 201-6240 or Human Resources at the Morgan Hill Unified School District at (408) 201-6000.
