Last Friday's 64-63 Region II Semifinal loss to Pflugerville wasn't just the end of the Plano West girls basketball season, it marked the end of head coach Don Patterson's career.

Patterson told his team Tuesday morning he was retiring.

"There were a few tears," he said. "I think it was a bit of a stunner for them and for me, it was definitely one of the hardest things I've ever had to do."

That decision was made right before Thanksgiving.

"Everyone always said you know when you know," said Patterson, the only head coach in program history. "So, in November, I looked at my wife and said, 'I think I'm done.'"

Patterson and his wife of 32 years, Tammy, were the only ones that knew about the impending retirement until the season was over.

"It was a real bittersweet moment when he told me," Mrs. Patterson said. "Of course I was thrilled about the opportunity to spend more time with Don, traveling and doing all the other things we've always wanted to do, but I know how much he'll miss coaching and I'll miss watching him coach."

She isn't the only one who will miss watching Patterson coach.

"There are coaches and there are difference makers, coach Patterson is a difference maker," said Mike Hughes, West athletic director. "He did such an unbelievable job here at West."

"When I came to West I was a new head coach, so Don has definitely been a mentor," said Mike Ledsome, Lady Wolves softball head coach. "He's a true friend and is definitely going to be missed."

It wasn't just members of the West family that had kind words for Patterson.

"I am excited for Don, he has been a great competitor in our district and his competitive spirit kept all of us challenged to do our best to put ourselves in a position to compete," said Lynn Meger, Plano Senior girls basketball head coach. "I know he is healthy and young enough to find another outlet, so I'm sure his retiring is just the beginning of a great new chapter."

Fifteen years ago, it was hard to imagine Patterson's final coaching chapter being in Plano.

"I wouldn't have thought we would spend the rest of our life here," Mrs. Patterson said. "I didn't think you could get so attached in a big city, but we just got so much support from everyone."

Mrs. Patterson, aka Mama Pat, is actually the reason her husband came to Plano.

Patterson began coaching at Class 3A East Chambers High School in Winnie, Texas. His first season in 1977-78 included middle school boys basketball, football and track. Patterson took over the girls basketball team at East Chambers in 1980-81 and eventually made stops at Floresville, Orange Grove and Anton.

"Tammy was working at Southwestern Bell Wireless at the time," Patterson said. "We were in Corpus (Christi) and then she got promoted to Lubbock and then promoted again to Plano."

When it was time to move to Plano, West wasn't open yet.

So Patterson spent 1998-99 at Armstrong Middle School, coaching eighth grade girls basketball, seventh grade track and teaching Texas history. He would be named the Lady Wolves' first head coach for the 1999-2000 season.

"I had been at smaller schools, so I wasn't even sure how I'd do at 5A," Patterson said. "It changed my career totally. I was blessed with so many great players and I just tried not to mess it up."

Patterson achieved plenty at West.

The Lady Wolves went 364-113 during his tenure (career record of 670-294), made the playoffs 12 times and won at least a share of the past five district titles. But the high point of Patterson's run undoubtedly came in 2005-06 when West, led by eventual Division I players Kristen Nash, Kathleen Nash and Micah Garoutte, won the Class 5A State Championship.

"We had lost to DeSoto in the first round the year before in a really tough game," Patterson said. "But we had height and we had everyone coming back, so we had high expectations. We put a picture up of The Drum (Frank Erwin Center in Austin) with a headline that said 'West wins 5A Title' and by gum if we didn't do it.

"That had been a dream of mine and it was a magical season."

Patterson was hoping to replicate that success this year.

"Once I knew it was going to be my last season, I figured, 'we better make it a good one,'" he said.

West accomplished that feat by being ranked as high as No. 2 in the state and compiling a 36-3 record en route to advancing to the regional tournament for the first time since 2006-07. A one-point loss to undefeated Pflugerville ended that run.

"I think that's why I was so emotional after the loss," Patterson said. "I was really sad for this bunch because I truly thought they could make it to state. But I couldn't be more proud of a group than I am of these ladies."

Patterson immediately went to comfort senior Devri Owens after the loss in Waco, a stark contrast to the fiery personality he displays during games.

"Coach Patterson can get onto the kids," Hughes said, "but they know how much he cares about them."

Senior Randi Reinhardt confirmed as much.

"I'm going to miss him," she said before smiling and adding. "If I have a bad game next year, I might just call him and see if I can get him to yell and get me back on track."

Patterson would, no doubt, be happy to oblige.

"I think we have established Plano West as one of the best programs in the area, if not the state," he said. "But it's not the wins and losses, it's the relationships with these ladies that really stands out."

"This has been our family," Mrs. Patterson added. "From the kids to the school, everything ... they've all been so welcoming."

Mama Pat has been watching West for the last 14 years, also serving as the team's scorekeeper until the last two seasons. Next year, she'll have a new face sitting beside her.

"We're not moving anywhere," Patterson said. "So I'll be in the stands ... and I'll yell if I need to."

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