Serra football's loss of Darius Bell is SHC's gain: ‘Sacred Heart Cathedral got it right'

The hiring of Darius Bell as Sacred Heart Cathedral's football coach should have a ripple effect on the West Catholic Athletic League. 

One of Northern California's most promising coaches, Bell has spent the past eight seasons as offensive coordinator at Serra, helping head coach Patrick Walsh build the Padres into a state power. 

Serra represented Northern California as Open Division champion three consecutive seasons, 2021-2023. The Irish's gain is also the Padres' loss.

"Darius is a fantastic coach, but a better man and friend," Serra coach Patrick Walsh said. "He's excellent with the kids. I will miss him dearly on many levels, and now I know what it feels like to be happy and sad at the same time. Sacred Heart Cathedral got it right by hiring Darius." 

Bell, who led Riordan to its first Central Coast Section title in 2007 as an All-Metro quarterback, said he can't wait to get started for the Irish. Sacred Heart let go of popular Antoine Evans after four seasons that included a 6-7 campaign in 2025 when the Irish lost in the CCS D2 championship to St. Ignatius, 24-21. Bell is the school's fifth coach since 2012. 

His first head coaching job coincided with the birth of his first child six months ago. 

"I can't wait to make an impact on the day to day," said Bell, who helped develop 60 Division I players at Serra. "Being present with the players, building real relationships and creating programs rooted in pride, passion, respect, integrity, discipline and effort. Helping young men grow not just as football players but as people is what drives me. Working at Serra with Patrick definitely taught me the value of love, culture and relationships and that culture is built through actions far more than words." 

Said SHC President Melinda Lawlore Skrade in a statement: "What a blessing it is to welcome coach Darius Bell to the Sacred Heart Cathedral family. His track record of building championship-caliber programs while prioritizing character, academics and team culture makes him an ideal leader for our football program." 

Bell is the latest in a flurry of recent new head football coach hires, including Nathan Kenion (Clayton Valley Charter-Concord), Ed Tona (Palo Alto), Tom Williams (Bellarmine) and Duncan Burgermeister (Amador Valley-Pleasanton).   

Riordan update: The boys and girls basketball seasons for Riordan are still on hold amid a tuberculosis outbreak connected to the school. The boys team, the Chronicle's No. 1 ranked squad, had games last week at home against Sacred Heart Cathedral and at Bellarmine postponed as well as Tuesday's contest at Serra. The team's next scheduled game is at home against St. Francis. 

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BOYS

GIRLS

Besides postponing SHC last week, a girls home game Saturday against San Ramon Valley-Danville and a contest at St. Mary's-Stockton on Tuesday were cancelled. 

"We're working with the department of health to figure out what is safe for all parties," Riordan athletic director Bob Green said Tuesday morning. "All lower level (JV and freshmen) and nonleague games are cancelled for now. With so many games now postponed, the league is trying to figure out realistic ways to make them up. An announcement from the league should come" on Tuesday afternoon. 

Because their games are played outdoors, Riordan's soccer teams have been allowed to continue to play without interruption. 

Woliczko honored: Even though she missed the first 10 games of the season recovering from a torn ACL, two-time Metro Player of the Year McKenna Woliczko was selected to the McDonald's All-American girls basketball team on Monday. The 6-foot-2 senior was one of 24 players picked to play in the prestigious May 31 game at Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix. In her first eight games back, Woliczko is averaging 20.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game while shooting 68% from the field. She is the fourth MItty player selected to the McDonald's event, joining Morgan Cheli (now at UConn, 2024), former Stanford and now WNBA player Haley Jones (2019) and Rometra Craig (2000), the daughter of former 49ers running back Roger Craig. 

Historic signing: First the first time in 21 years, Balboa will celebrate a college football signing Wednesday with a ceremony for Chronicle 2025 All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year Mekai Smith (2,447 rushing yards, 42 touchdowns, state-best 53 TDs overall), who is expected to sign with Nevada. The last Balboa football player to sign straight out of high school was running back/defensive back Jo Pierre Davis to Hawaii in 2005. … The last player from San Francisco's public league (AAA) to sign straight to a Division I program was Mission's Julian Neal (Fresno State) in 2021. … Riordan two-way standout Perrion Williams is also expected to sign with Nevada. … Other Bay Area players expected to sign Wednesday - most signed during the early period in December - include Menlo School-Atherton edge rusher Palmer Riley (Vanderbilt), Riordan receiver Judge Nash (Harvard) and offensive lineman Michael Langi (Oregon State), Valley Christian tight end Colton Hider (Washington State), St. Vincent-Petaluma quarterback Gabe Casanovas (Western Oregon), Amador Valley edge rusher Cole Goldsworthy (Portland State) and Miramonte-Orinda wide receiver Andrew Bjornson (UNLV).

This article originally published at Serra football's loss of Darius Bell is SHC's gain: ‘Sacred Heart Cathedral got it right'.