May 19—The seven-year itch hit Zack Cole.

The head boys basketball coach at Santa Fe High School agreed to take over the same position at Rio Rancho Cleveland Friday morning, he said. Cole leaves after a 125-63 mark over seven years with the Demons, leading them to four district titles and a Class 5A championship appearance in 2019.

He takes over a program that has been one of the best in 5A and won the state title in 2021. He replaces Sean Jimenez, who resigned after seven seasons at the school.

"Emotionally, it has been a roller coaster because as one door opens, another shuts behind you," Cole said. "And the one that shut behind us is one that we absolutely love. We love our kids. They have given us everything they could."

Santa Fe Public Schools superintendent Larry Chavez said he wished Cole well in his new position and thanked him for his successful tenure.

"He transformed the program into a model program, not only for Northern New Mexico but for the entire state," Chavez said.