SAUGUS — Mark Bertrand’s basketball career at Saugus has officially come full circle.
A former player and assistant coach for the Saugus High School boys basketball team, Bertrand was named the program’s head coach last week. He takes over for former Sachems coach Paul Moran, who stepped down after one game last season. Bertrand coached the Sachems on an interim head coach basis for the 2017-2018 campaign.
“I’m thrilled,” Bertrand said. “I consider it an honor and a privilege to coach where I went to school, played and the town I live in. It’s great to continue the tradition of great coaches at Saugus High. It’s something I never dreamed would happen, having the opportunity to have this job.”
Bertrand graduated from Saugus High in 1982. After one season playing hoops at North Shore Community College he took his basketball talents to Division III Worcester State, where he graduated in 1987. From his playing days, Bertrand learned the importance of having pride in representing a school and community.
“I always tell the kids to be proud about being from Saugus,” Bertrand said. “We’re a hardworking, blue-collar town. I relay to them that we used to pack that gym. When that gym’s loud and rocking, it’s one of the loudest gyms in the conference. It’s an honor to play here and represent this school. I believe that and we translate that to the kids.”
Bertrand returned to the Saugus program in 2008, when Moran tabbed him to coach the freshman team. He also coached the junior varsity team before joining the varsity staff as an assistant. Overall, Bertrand spent 10 years on the staff before being named interim coach last winter.
“I played here. I remember my father taking me to my first game in 1975 when I saw Saugus play Classical,” Bertrand said. “I was on one of the better Saugus teams my junior year. I joined the coaching staff, now I’m head coach. I know Saugus basketball as well as anybody. I’m a historian on it. Sometimes I get goosebumps when I think about getting this job. We’re set up to succeed and I feel good about that.”
He credits Moran for teaching him the ins and outs of coaching at the high school level.
“I was elated when he called me to be the freshman coach,” Bertrand said. “Paul taught me so much about how to run the program and run it right. Anyone who follows Paul has a tough act to follow. I have a big job ahead of me. Paul did a tremendous job here.”
Next year’s Saugus team projects to carry a younger roster. The Sachems went 5-15 last season and qualified for the Division 3 North state tournament under the Sullivan Rule. Saugus was bounced by Bedford in the first round.
“We’re still young, in a rebuilding mode,” Bertrand said. “I have two seniors coming back as captains. They players have worked hard in the offseason. We’re young, we started two freshmen and two sophomores last year. We have a lot of openings and opportunities for kids next year.”
Aside from building a successful team on the court, Bertrand noted he’ll make it a point to establish a team that conducts itself the right way off the court as well.
“I want the kids to be good citizens,” Bertrand said. “That’s a sticking point for me. I looked up to the players at Saugus High when I was younger. I want our kids to work hard in the classroom, be good citizens and role models for the younger kids in town.
“I’m really thankful for the support from people in town,” Bertrand added. “I want to thank principal Michael Hashem and athletic director James Bunnell. I want to thank Dave Sopar, my coach when I played at Saugus, for outstanding support. I hope to do a good job and I know I will.”
