Prep basketball: Longtime St. Joseph Notre Dame assistant replaces legendary coach

Former JV and assistant coach succeeds Don Lippi as SJND head coach

Jonathan Musson has some big shoes to fill as the new boys basketball coach at St. Joseph Notre Dame.

Musson will replace Don Lippi, who retired in March after a 43-year career that included a combined 914 wins at St. Ignatius, Skyline, St. Patrick-St. Vincent and SJND. Lippi ranks fourth all-time in wins among California coaches according to Cal-Hi Sports’ records.

Lippi led St. Joseph Notre Dame to four state titles.

Musson coached SJND’s freshman team in 2002, led the JV starting in 2003, and became a varsity assistant in 2009 while still coaching the junior varsity. The JV program went 16-9 last season.

“Jon has been part of the SJND community for over 20 years and is well-connected with many outstanding Pilot players who have dominated on the Kelly Gymnasium floor,” athletic director John Bertken said in a statement from the school. “There were many coaches competing for this position, but none as invested into the success as Jon has been over the years.”

Musson, who graduated from SJND in 1999, is also a PE teacher at the school.

“One of his best attributes is that Jon is an educator,” Bertken said. “He understands and appreciates the value of the educational environment of school sport programs. He cares about the emotional, social, and spiritual impact of playing at St. Joseph Notre Dame.”