Daniel Bachicha, a 40‑year‑old former assistant coach at Manzano High School, has been appointed as the new girls basketball coach for Belen High School. His hiring follows the resignation of Samuel Gavaldon, who was asked to step down after the Eagles posted a 7‑20 record in the previous season.
A Fresh Coaching Vision
Bachicha arrives with a résumé that includes head coaching stints at Laguna‑Acoma, where his Hawks posted a 17‑11 mark in the 2019‑20 campaign, and assistant roles at Valley, Cibola, Highland, La Cueva, and Sandia. He is known for an aggressive, scrappy brand of play that emphasizes man‑to‑man defense, pressing, and a fundamentals‑first mindset.
The coach is excited about the roster he inherits, noting that 12 players return with varsity experience and that the school's middle‑school feeder program provides a steady pipeline of talent. He plans to tailor his aggressive system to the strengths of each athlete rather than impose a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.
Jim Collins, Belen’s athletic coordinator, praised Bachicha’s family‑oriented philosophy and high basketball IQ, saying the new staff aligns perfectly with the district’s vision for a competitive yet community‑focused program.
Bachicha, who holds certification in English/language arts but has not yet been assigned a teaching position, will begin shaping the team’s strategy in the upcoming preseason, aiming to restore the Eagles to a winning trajectory while nurturing the next generation of players through the middle‑school pipeline.