According to Socorro Independent School District officials, Paul Baca, a longtime basketball coach in El Paso, passed away on 5 February at 55.
Baca coached in the game against Coronado on January 31 but was absent from the match against Montwood on February 4.
Highlights
- One of the students, Stephy Flowers, described Paul Baca as a fantastic teacher and coach and said she was grateful and honored to have had him as her math teacher.
- Paul Baca’s late mother, Josefina J. Baca, spent many years working as a teacher’s aide for children with special needs in the El Paso Independent School District.
- He is survived by his father, Dan Baca Sr., and his brother, Dan Baca.
A 1988 graduate of Cathedral High School, Baca was the head coach of the girl’s basketball team at Americas High School from 2002 to 2012.
Most recently, he worked as the assistant coach for the varsity boys basketball team at Socorro High School for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
The El Paso Community Mourns The Loss Of The Coach Paul Baca
Many local coaches shared their condolences on social media, remembering Baca as a great coach and friend and an even better person.
Cassandra Martin shared her thoughts, saying she will miss Coach Paul Baca and the fun banter, especially during the games between the Jets and Dolphins.
She also used to joke around by pronouncing SMU as “SMEW” to tease him but promised to call it SMU.
She remembered the good times they shared with Blazer Hoops, like when he lectured them on a long drive home from a tournament because of a Midland basketball sweatshirt or when they got caught leaving campus for lunch.
He made everyone run while she watched with a boot on her ankle. Though they might not have shown it then, she appreciates everything he did for them and is grateful for his support.
Similarly, Stephy Flowers described Paul Baca as a fantastic teacher and coach and said she was grateful and honored to have had him as her math teacher.
She believes no one could have done it better than him. She ended by raising a toast to him, saying she’d see him on the other side and wished him to rest in paradise.
I am in true disbelief at the moment… it’s always scary opening up social medias now a days cus you never know who will pass unexpectedly 😔 Paul Baca, you were an absolute gem of a teacher and coach. I am truly thankful and honored to say you were my math teacher. No one could have done it better like you. Cheers to you 🍻 see you on the other side.
Stephy Flowers
Rest in paradise Mr. Baca
While coaching at Americas, Paul Baca guided several exceptional players, such as Tammy Acosta, Teisha King, and Ola Akomolafe.
The 2006-07 season stood out as one of his most successful, with the team winning 26 games and triumphing over Amarillo Tascosa in the UIL playoffs.
In the following season, 2007-08, his team reached 30 victories and beat Lubbock Monterey in the playoffs.
The 2008-09 squad finished with 23 wins and defeated Amarillo Tascosa in the playoffs.
Regarding the family, Paul Baca’s mother, Josefina J. Baca, passed away in 2014.
She spent many years working as a teacher’s aide for children with special needs in the El Paso Independent School District before retiring.
He is survived by his father, Dan Baca Sr., and his brother, Dan Baca.
Additional Information
- He attended Southern Methodist University, where he studied mathematics.
- His final Facebook post mentioned that the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, Nataly Flores (Coach Flo), had organized an impressive camp the previous summer.
- He went to Cathedral High School.
