LAS VEGAS -- New Bishop Gorman football coach Tony Sanchez admits he has thought about the fate of his predecessor, Bob Altshuler. He just won't let it bother him.

The school announced the hiring of Sanchez, 35, on Tuesday to replace Altshuler, whose contract was not renewed even though he went 26-2 in two seasons and won a state title.

Gorman is in the Class 4-A Sunset Region Southwest Division, which includes Pahrump Valley.

"I'm a football coach; you look at those things," Sanchez said. "You can't really concern yourself with it. You've got to look to the future and do what they hired you to do: build a program on community and commitment."

Sanchez spent the past five seasons at California High in San Ramon, Calif. The team, which plays in the top classification in the state, was 2-8 the year before he took over, but he led them to a 35-21 record and three playoff appearances. California High had only four playoff appearances in its history before Sanchez took over.

He said he's ready for the opportunities Gorman offers.

"I just felt like the whole picture was something that I was excited to do," Sanchez said. "It was a new challenge, and that's kind of what drew me to it."

Gorman athletic director Peter Weinburgh said the school was drawn to Sanchez not just for his success on the field but for the way he conducts himself off it.

"What we found out about him is not only is he an exemplary football coach, he is an exemplary person, and we feel comfortable that he is the person to take our program to the next level," Weinburgh said.

"He includes the parents and the community, and that's really what Bishop Gorman's all about. We feel very good and very comfortable with him."

Sanchez said he looks forward to building relationships at Gorman. But he acknowledged he'll miss the relationships he built at California. He said telling his players he was leaving was difficult.

"When you walk away from something like that, you see the impact that everybody had on these kids and their lives," Sanchez said. "You can win a lot of football games, but at the end of the day 20 years from now, the relationships are the things that are going to stick out."