coaching changes

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Coaching Changes...Some Really
Big Coaching Changes--(Apr. 21, 2001)

We've been hearing about and reading about several changes in and among the local high school ranks and thought we'd pass along some of the more recent news we've come across:

High School To College: The biggest news we read about over the weekend was actually some news about a couple of new hires at Pepperdine, one we kinda, sorta expected, and the other which just absolutely blew us away: The not-so-surprising news is that Gib Arnold, an assistant under former Pepperdine head coach Jan Van Breda Kolf, who had applied himself for the Waves' head job but lost out, will be retained as an assistant by new head coach Paul Westphal. But the more surprising news, which seemingly comes out of left field is that Redondo Union boys' head coach Jim Nielsen will become an assistant at Pepperdine. Nielsen played at Washington State, was captain of the team, and voted "Most Inspirational Player" in his senior year. Nielsen has been the head coach at Redondo for the last 10 years; prior to that he had Glenn Marx' job at Mira Costa, and prior to that he coached "around at other places." Jim attended North Torrance High and graduated in 1968. He was a two time All-CIF Player and two time All-Bay League MVP while at North Torrance when it was a D-I recruiting goldmine. Jim played for Marv Harshman, Jud Heathcote and Dale Brown, and followed up with a one year post-grad assistant's job under George Raveling at Washington State. Under Nielsen, Redondo has had 9 twenty win seasons in 9 years.

High School to JUCO: Jon Keller, San Gabriel High School's boys basketball coach for the past three years, reportedly resigned this past week to become an assistant at Chaffey College under Jeff Klein, who also resigned earlier this month from his head coaching job at Upland. Klein coached Keller at South Pasadena. Keller led the Matadors to two second-place finishes in the Almont League and a first-place finish in 1999 -- San Gabriel's first league championship since 1975. San Gabriel went 15-12 overall and 6-4 in league last season.

New High School Coach: Saturday's Los Angeles Times reports that Paraclete High has hired J.R. Chapman to coach the boys' basketball team, replacing Andy Gavel who resigned after this past season. Chapman graduated from Paraclete in 1989, was an All-Southern Section player and served as an assistant for the last three seasons under Gavel. The Times also noted that Susan Hervey, Paraclete's girls' coach for seven seasons, resigned this week as well.

More New High School Coaches: Saturday's LA Daily News reported that Lancaster High assistant boys' basketball coach Jesse Parker will replace head coach Travis Brtown. Parker has been an asisstant to Brown for three years. The Eagles won their only Golden League title during Brown's more than five year tenure this past season. Brown is reported to be leaving the Antelope Valley area this summer to return to his family home in the midwest.

No New Coach Yet: Bishop Amat High School is still looking for a new head boys varsity coach. The school is currently accepting applications for the job. Interested applicants should contact athletic director Mike DiFiori at (626) 962-2495, Ext. 7412, by April 27.

Girls' Coach Reportedly Fired: Saturday's Riverside Press-Enterprise reported that Rick Carter, Redlands' East Valley High School's first girls' basketball coach was fired last week. No successor has been named yet. In three seasons, REV has yet to compile a winning record, but his team did reach the playoffs in 99-2000. This past season, REV finished 2-16 overall, 2-8 in Citrus Belt League. Applications are not yet being accepted because the job has not technically been opened to anyone besides intradistrict personnel, who have first opportunity to fill the opening. The school is looking to fill the vacancy by the start of the May 15 spring practice period.