Remembering A New Mexico Basketball Legend: Coach Frank Edward “Pancho” Dooley

Frank Edward Dooley, affectionately known as "Coach Dooley" and "Pancho," passed away peacefully in Albuquerque on August 2, 2026, surrounded by his family. A devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, steadfast friend, lifelong athlete, and storied coach and teacher, he leaves a legacy that will endure far beyond his 93 years.

A Life Well-Lived

Frank was born on January 9, 1933, in Deming, New Mexico, to Frank and Evelyn Dooley. He graduated from Deming High School and attended Western New Mexico University in Silver City, where he met and later married his beloved wife, Norma "Jean" Chaudoin. A football player for the Mustangs, Frank was inducted into the Western New Mexico Hall of Fame. After graduating, he served two years in the Army as a Specialist Third Class and received an honorable discharge. Frank went on to earn his master's degree in mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa—a pursuit that reflected his lifelong commitment to education and self-improvement.

Frank and Jean raised their four children—Tim, Bryan, Sandy, and Warren—in Deming, where they built deep and lasting friendships throughout New Mexico. Through decades of shared experiences—countless PB&J sack lunches for basketball road trips, camping adventures along the Gila River, and innumerable New Mexican meals with close friends—Frank and Jean created a family culture centered on care, respect, and community.

A Champion Coach and Beloved Teacher

Frank was a renowned basketball coach and mathematics teacher whose influence shaped thousands of young people over his distinguished 40-year career. With an impressive career record of 446 wins and 215 losses, Coach Dooley became a fixture in New Mexico high school athletics.

He is especially celebrated for his tenure coaching the Deming Wildcats from 1963 to 1979, where he compiled 313 wins and led the team to four State Championships (1971, 1972, 1974, and 1976). Beyond Deming, Coach Dooley had additional coaching stints across New Mexico, including Silver, Alamogordo, Mayfield, St. Pius, and Cibola—communities where he left an indelible mark on young athletes and students.

His excellence was recognized throughout the region and nation: New Mexico Coach of the Year (1971-1972), National Basketball Coach of the Year for the Southwest Region (1972), induction into the New Mexico High School Coaches Hall of Fame (1990), and most recently, the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2025). The Deming High School basketball court was officially named "Frank Dooley Court" in 2010, and the school's new gymnasium was named in his honor in 2017—tributes that speak to the profound impact he had on his community.

Alamogordo: Building Champions and Leaders

During his coaching tenure in Alamogordo in the 1980s, Coach Dooley demonstrated the same championship mentality that defined his career. He led his team to a second-place finish at the state championship—a remarkable achievement that showcased his ability to build competitive programs across different schools and communities.

It was in Alamogordo where Coach Dooley's philosophy of holistic student development became particularly evident through his partnership with Coach Bob Sepulveda. Rather than viewing athletic programs in isolation, Dooley actively encouraged his basketball players to participate in Sepulveda's track and field program, understanding that well-rounded athletes and students thrive through diverse experiences.

Coach Sepulveda, whose name now graces Alamogordo's Tiger track and field program, remembered Dooley with deep respect and admiration:

"Coach Dooley was a true mentor who understood that our role went far beyond wins and losses. He was deeply committed to education and to developing rounded student success. He not only coached excellence on the court, but he made sure his players understood the value of pursuing excellence in the classroom and in every aspect of their lives. We worked well together because we shared the same philosophy—that we were building young people, not just athletes."

This collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to student welfare set Dooley apart. He was respected not merely for his coaching acumen, but for his dedication to the total development of every young person in his care. While Coach Dooley was the head basketball coach and a mathematics teacher he was very supportive of Coach Sepulveda’s and his wife Marylin’s Cross Country teams. He encouraged his athletes to join both Bob and Marylin’s teams, helped with track meets and often socialized with the Sepulveda’s during his tenure in Alamogordo. 

The Teacher Behind the Coach

As a mathematics teacher, Frank brought the same patience, empathy, and intellectual rigor to the classroom that he demonstrated on the court. His students navigated algebra, trigonometry, and calculus under his careful guidance, and many counted him among their favorite teachers. Frank understood that teaching was a sacred trust—that young people needed to feel valued and believed in before they could truly learn.

A Man of Character

Throughout his life, Frank faced challenges on the court, in the classroom, and in his personal journey. He met each with a determined spirit, a positive attitude, and his signature sense of humor. He loved the outdoors—fishing, woodworking, camping—and was known for his strong slices and spins on the tennis court and his fierce competitive spirit in ping pong.

His family remembers his contentment after a "panza llena y corazón contento"—a full belly and happy heart—especially after enjoying spicy chicken sandwiches paired with mocha frappes topped with an extra chocolate drizzle. These simple pleasures reflected the wisdom at the core of his character: that life's greatest riches are found in relationships, good food, laughter, and time spent with those we love.

Just months before his passing, Coach Dooley was honored at The Pit in Albuquerque for the 50th anniversary of his 1976 championship team—a fitting tribute to a coach whose accomplishments spanned decades and whose legacy continued to be celebrated and cherished.

Frank credited his success in coaching to the community around him. He was a true leader who built a culture of care, respect, and discipline wherever he went. His wisdom and goodness live on in everyone who learned from him.

Legacy and Survivors

Frank is survived by his son Tim and his wife Cindy, and their daughters Chantel, Krista, and Tana; his son Bryan and his wife Holly; his daughter Sandy and her husband David, along with their children Laura, Melanie, Staci, Chase, Heather, and Aubrey; and his son Warren and his partner Kris, and their children Stuart, Andy, and Megan, as well as many great-grandchildren. Frank is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Jean, his twin brother Oscar, and his sister Frances.

Honoring His Memory

A private celebration of life will take place for Frank's immediate family. The larger community—the countless students, athletes, colleagues, and friends whose lives he touched—is invited to share memories and stories online and to donate in Frank's memory to the Frank Dooley DHS Scholarship Fund, established in 2013 to benefit Deming High School graduating seniors.

Donations can be sent to:

Coach James Williams

C/O Frank Dooley DHS Scholarship Fund

601 S. Granite St.

Deming, NM 88030

"Whenever you spent time with him, he made you feel like the most important person in the world. He had an infectious love for life and cared for his family and friends. He was the ultimate role model. There are a lot of people that talk but don't walk... he did it all."

Rest easy, Coach. Your legacy lives on in all of us.

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