After nearly a decade of playing professional basketball in Europe, Johnny Dee is coming home.
After a decade as head boys basketball coach at San Diego High School, Bazz Fontenot has found a new home.
Dee, a former standout at Rancho Buena Vista High School and the University of San Diego, has been named the new boys basketball coach at Santa Fe Christian.
Fontenot, who had five 20-win seasons in nine years at San Diego High, takes over at Mater Dei Catholic.
Dee was an All-CIF player at RBV during the 2010-11 season before g with the Toreros. In 131 games at USD, Dee scored a program-record 2,046 points and hit a program-record 333 3-pointers.
“I love the game, and want to get into coaching,” Dee said. “I figured this was the time. Santa Fe Christian is a special place. The people there feel like part of the family.”
Dee comes from an athletic family. His grandfather, Don Dee, was on the 1968 U.S. Olympic gold-medal basketball team. His father, Donnie Dee, played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts. His mom, Jackie, ran track and cross country at the University of Tulsa, and his sister, Jenny, was an All-CIF player at RBV and played college basketball at UC Irvine and Southeastern University.
Johnny Dee signed with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors out of USD before embarking on a professional career overseas. He played one season in Bosnia, one season in Poland and the last seven in Spain. He averaged 5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists last fall for Baloncesto Fuenlabrada.
“I have no background in coaching, but I have a lot of experience,” said Dee, 32. “I know there will be a big learning curve. But I’ve seen a lot of things, played for a number of coaches — both good and bad. Plus, there is a great system at Santa Fe Christian.”
SFC is 204-98 over the last 10 seasons — eight under Chad Bickley and the last two under Matt Carlino, who left SFC to return to Texas.
“Matt has pledged his help with anything I need. The same with Chad Bickley,” Dee said. “I’ve seen a lot of different coaching perspectives and philosophies. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I’m ready to get started.”
Dee, who is married with an infant son, said he plans to get involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Fontenot went 169-109 in nine seasons at San Diego High, going 24-6 last season. He takes over a Mater Dei Catholic program that is 184-100 over the last 10 seasons.
Fontenot said proximity was a deciding factor.
“I love San Diego High and wouldn’t trade the last nine years for anything,” Fontenot said. “But I live a mile from Mater Dei Catholic. My commute to San Diego High can take an hour. Being close to home is a huge advantage. This is a great opportunity at a school that has resources, facilities and an established culture.
“I’m impressed with how the other half lives and can’t wait to get started.”
Fontenot, who is also the head track coach at San Diego High, said he hopes to also coach track at Mater Dei. He is unsure yet whether there is a teaching position waiting for him at Mater Dei.
His daughter Anisa Bowen-Fontenot, a senior at San Diego High, is a state champion in the 300 hurdles and one of the top runners in the state.
His son Jasir is a freshman at San Diego High and is one the top hurdlers in the state.
“I’d love to keep coaching Jasir,” Fontenot said. “We’re working on the details of getting him here next year. It’s a very exciting time for us.”
