SAN JOSE >> Patrick Walsh began his head coaching career at Serra in 2001, a fresh-faced 26-year-old who was less than a decade removed from his days as a standout running back at De La Salle.

Over the next 24 seasons at the San Mateo private school, Walsh turned the program into a powerhouse, capturing West Catholic Athletic League, NorCal and state championships.

On a temperate Friday night at San Jose City College, an older and grizzled Walsh reached another impressive milestone in a tenure filled with them after the Padres routed Bellarmine 47-6.

Two-hundred career victories. All with Serra.

“I’ve never been a climber in this business, and I’ve always been happy where my feet are and happy with the community here at Serra for over two decades now,” Walsh said. “With the players I’ve had and the coaches who have surrounded me, it’s been a great joy. This has never really been a job for me. It’s been more of a vocation.

“I love what I do and I feel grateful for that,” Walsh continued. “I usually don’t think of these sort of things, but now that it’s hitting me, it’s kind of heavy.”

As his team and staff congratulated him, the always-honest Walsh admitted that he could have never imagined accumulating so many victories.

“You know, frankly, when I was 26, I didn’t think I’d be here 24 years later,” Walsh said.

But Walsh never left, transforming the Padres into a juggernaut that represented NorCal in each of the past three Open Division state title games.

On Friday, Nano Latu rushed for 142 yards and four touchdowns behind crushing blocks by center Jonah Alapti, and Chris Yoon and Iziah Singleton each ran for one score. Clay Hinsdale caught three passes for 58 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore defensive back Malakai Taufoou always seemed to be around the ball for a defense locked up the Bells.