Back in 1975, when Nordhoff High's veritable coaching legend, Dick Sebeck, needed a JV coach for the boys basketball program, he chose 25-year-old Mike Probyn for the job.

It came with a provision, for both sides: Probyn would see if he enjoyed coaching before committing past one season.

Safe to say, Probyn and coaching became a match.

Thirty-seven years later, at age 62, Probyn has announced that he is retiring as the Rangers coach.

His 37 years with with the basketball program has included the last 10 seasons as the head varsity coach.

"Nothing lasts forever," the genial coach says. "It just feels right, the timing is good. And I know if I get out now, the new coach will have plenty of time to take over."

That's so like Probyn, who always put the interests of the team and his players above all else.

Probyn never was a coach who rated wins and losses as ultimate accomplishments. He always knew his players moved onto life after basketball.

"The biggest thing for me is when a former player comes back, just to say hello and to say he enjoyed his time playing basketball at Nordhoff," he said. "I like to think that a coach can help prepare his players to be a success in life.

Not that Probyn, a graduate of Nordhoff High and Ventura College, couldn't find success on the basketball court, too.

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Probyn ready to retire after 37 years coaching for Nordhoff