We reported earlier today that Patrick Bates was out as the head coach at Chipola College (FL). It has now been made official.

Chipola College Athletics Director Jeff Johnson on Monday, Feb. 23, announced that men’s basketball coach Patrick Blake is stepping down. The search for a new head coach is underway.

The Indians concluded the season Saturday with a fifth place finish in the Panhandle Conference, and an overall 10-19 mark. Athletic Director Jeff Johnson said, “Coach Blake a fine young man with a bright future. He has a great record for helping his players graduate and move on to the next level. We wish him the best in his coaching career.”

Blake served at Chipola for five years, the first two as an assistant and three seasons as Head Coach. He compiled an overall record of 62-30. The 2014 season included a Panhandle Conference Championship, NJCAA Region VIII/FCSAA State Championship, and an NJCAA Elite Eight Appearance. He was named Conference and State coach of the year in 2014. His squad was named an All-American Academic team with a 3.12 team GPA. All of Coach Blake’s sophomores graduated during his three-year year tenure.

All five starters from the 2013-14 team signed major athletic scholarships: Bowers (Auburn), Sam Cassell, Jr. (UConn), Torian Graham (Houston), Carlos Morris (Minnesota), and Demetrious Floyd (Stephen F. Austin). Sam Cassell, Jr. earned NJCAA All-American honors and was named the FCSAA Male Athlete of the Year.

Coach Blake said, “I’ll miss the great Chipola fans and community support. This is a big-time program with high expectations. I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to coach at Chipola.”