Frank Edward 'Pancho' Dooley, the longtime New Mexico basketball coach and educator, died on August 2, 2026, in Albuquerque at the age of 93. His passing was noted by local media and community members who had followed his career spanning four decades.
Born on January 9, 1933, in Deming, New Mexico, Dooley grew up in a family that would later expand to include his wife, Norma Jean Chaudoin, and their four children. After serving two years in the United States Army, he pursued a master's degree in mathematics at the University of Northern Iowa, a foundation that would later inform his teaching style.
From 1963 to 1979 he coached the Deming Wildcats, compiling a 313‑win record and guiding the team to four New Mexico State Championships in 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1976. His early accolades included being named New Mexico Coach of the Year for 1971‑72 and earning the National Basketball Coach of the Southwest Region honor in 1972.
A Legacy of Mentorship and Community
Beyond the hardwood, Dooley taught mathematics with a reputation for patience, empathy and intellectual rigor. He partnered with Coach Bob Sepulveda in Alamogordo to promote a holistic approach to student development, emphasizing relationships as much as athletic performance.
The couple raised their family in Deming, where road trips, camping excursions and simple pleasures such as spicy chicken sandwiches and mocha frappes became part of their shared culture. Their children — Tim, Bryan, Warren, and daughters Sandy, Chantel, Krista, and others — remember a household that blended discipline with warmth.
In 2010 the Deming High School basketball court was named in his honor, and in 2017 the gymnasium followed suit. A scholarship fund established in 2013, the Frank Dooley DHS Scholarship Fund, continues to support graduating seniors, while the 50th‑anniversary celebration of his 1976 championship team drew tributes from former players and community leaders.
Colleagues and former students recall his quiet confidence, his ability to connect on the court and in the classroom, and his unwavering commitment to education and family. His legacy lives on in the many lives he shaped, the institutions that bear his name, and the enduring spirit of mentorship he embodied.
Though he is no longer with us, the values he championed — hard work, integrity, and a love of learning — remain a guiding light for the many who knew him. The community continues to honor his memory through gatherings, reflections, and the ongoing impact of his scholarship program.