ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Dave Bliss returned to New Mexico Monday, telling his story of second chances to anyone who wanted to listen.

Bliss was the guest speaker at the New Mexico High School Association Coaches Clinic. Bliss shared his story with the crowd about bouncing back from a scandal that rocked his basketball career over 20 years ago.

To make his point about losing his way, Bliss used a prop of three balloons that he popped in succession.

“And just like that it was over,” said Bliss about his coaching career. “I was on every sports center for literally three months.”

The former Lobo head men’s basketball coach committed NCAA violations while at Baylor University. Bliss paid tuition for a pair of his players.

The scandal only got worse with the death of player Patrick Dennehy. Bliss said the scandal made it hard to be in public.

His family eventually left Texas for Denver. Bliss said he would go out in a hat and sunglasses to hide his identity. He said the scandal shamed his family and left him feeling empty.

Bliss credits the grace of God for allowing him to slowly return to a good place in his life.

“I really respect the opportunity that I have as a second chance,” said Bliss.” I’m a little bit of a poster boy for second chance people and I want to make good on it because people deserve that. I want to help people and I share what has been shared with me.”

Bliss worked a few odd jobs before eventually falling back into coaching again.

He is the current coach at Southwest Christian Academy. Bliss coached the Lobos from 1989 to 1999, winning 246 games against 108 losses. He is the Lobos all time winningest coach.