Andres Hernandez replaces Jeff Young as Century varsity boys basketball coach

Andres Hernandez (right) has been named Century’s new boys basketball coach. (Photo courtesy Century athletics, For OC Sports Zone)

Andres Hernandez, an assistant basketball coach for the past eight seasons, has been promoted to head varsity coach at Century, according to Athletic Director Matt Cavanaugh.

Hernandez replaces Jeff Young, who has resigned to spend more time with his family, Cavanaugh said.

“We are genuinely grateful to Jeff Young for his dedication and effort in leading our basketball program for the past five years and we truly respect the very difficult decision he has made to step down in order to spend important time with his own young sons,” said Cavanaugh.

“The Orange League championships our teams have earned the last two seasons speak well of the quality of his work.”

Cavanaugh said that Century is “blessed to have Andres Hernandez” as the new coach.

“He has been the one constant in our basketball program over the past eight seasons,” Cavanaugh said. “Through good seasons and bad, Andres has demonstrated a unique ability to teach kids the game of basketball from the most basic skill level. He is bright, capable and fully invested. More importantly, he understands that basketball is a vehicle for teaching kids many important  lessons that can impact their lives positively and he embraces that responsibility.”

Hernandez thanked the former coaches he’s worked with at Century.

“We want to thank coach Jeff Young for his constant support and his continuous efforts in helping our kids move forward,” Hernandez told OC Sports Zone Friday.

“As we transition into my new role, we simply want to continue to use basketball as a catalyst to teach our guys that there is more to life than the 29.5 inches of circumference that we play with.  Coach (Greg) Chapman once told us, ‘the special things in life don’t last and that’s what makes them special.’ My goal is to continue to make these young men’s four years special.”

Hernandez is a Century High graduate, making the Santa Ana Unified School District Top 100 in the district-wide graduating class of 2010, Cavanaugh said.

“He returned as the last varsity team captain to have played for  coaches Greg Coombs and Greg Chapman here,” Cavanaugh said. “Their influence on his approach to teaching basketball and building young men is notable and so we are also happy for the part of this that reminds us of those special years in the Century basketball program.”

Hernandez is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, where he majored in biology.