When he was 18, Patrick Irvin was coaching a middle school

basketball team in Portland, Ore. From there, Irvin spent five

seasons as a coach with the Wilson High School girls team in

Portland before putting in four years with an elite team as an

assistant coach. You could say he has a sufficient background with

both coaching and basketball.

When he was 18, Patrick Irvin was coaching a middle school basketball team in Portland, Ore. From there, Irvin spent five seasons as a coach with the Wilson High School girls team in Portland before putting in four years with an elite team as an assistant coach. You could say he has a sufficient background with both coaching and basketball.

Well, this season, Irvin is operating the sidelines as the new head coach of the Mission Bulldogs and couldn't be more ready for the opportunity.

"My goal for 15-20 years has been to be a high school basketball coach," Irvin said.

Over the summer, while finishing his Master's in education, Irvin sought to achieve his goal and came across the opening in St. Ignatius. After a pair of interviews, he was hired to take the helm for a Bulldogs team coming off an improved season under Lloyd Phillips.

Irvin finds himself in an area quite the contrast to busy Portland, but is really excited about the opportunity in front of him. And as a man of the outdoors, he should fit in quite nicely.

"I love the mountains, snowboarding and basketball,"

Irvin said.

And as much as he loves hitting the slopes, Irvin can't wait to get the season under way.

"I'm excited to play some games, see how our guys match up and get some competition going," Irvin said. "We're going to try out our practice stuff and take it to the next level."

He's not the only person getting revved up for the season, which started this weekend in Three Forks. From his players to St. Ignatius staff and the community, it seems as if everyone is gearing up for the Mission basketball season and Irvin's impact.

"I've been received very well," Irvin said. "I've had positive endorsements from the principal and community. The players really want to win. Their attitude and effort level have been in the right places. They want to be successful."

Since being a coach for a middle school team, a gig that, according to Irvin, got his interest going in coaching, this is what Irvin has been preparing for. After waiting so long for the opportunity, the season is finally here for Irvin and the up-and-coming Mission Bulldogs.