Pacifica Christian names Vanguard assistant James Parker as girls basketball coach

James Parker (shown coaching last year at Vanguard University) has been selected as the new coach. (Photo courtesy Pacifica Christian athletics)

Pacifica Christian High School athletic officials announced the hiring of James Parker as the new head varsity girls basketball coach on Saturday.

Parker has had an impressive coaching resume during his 14 years, according to a release from Pacifica Christian athletics.

During the 2017-2018 season, he was on staff at Vanguard University, serving as an assistant coach in the women’s basketball program, coaching alongside NAIA Hall of Fame coach Russ Davis.

While at Vanguard, he helped the Lions finish the 2017-2018 season with a 24-6 overall record, an NAIA National Tournament Elite 8 appearance, and a No. 7 end of the year NAIA National Ranking.  

He is also a head coach at Nike Cal Swish, coaching their 16-and-under Nike EYBL Team and assisting their 17-and-under Nike EYBL Team, according to the release.

In 2014 Parker founded West Coast Girls’ Hoops, a scouting service approved by the NCAA, of which NCAA Divison I coaches are permitted to subscribe. He has built relationships with numerous college coaches across the nation, at all levels of competition.

In partnership with West Coast Girls Hoops, Parker launched iball Academy in 2013. The academy focuses on the development of the whole student-athlete. It also implements teaching skills, training skills, and mentoring skills to help athletes perform at their highest levels while also concentrating on the aspects of what a player brings to the table in terms of culture, leadership, demeanor, energy, attitude, and what it means to be a collegiate student-athlete

“I am extremely excited to have Coach Parker on staff to lead our girls basketball program, said Director of Athletics and Student Life Brandon Gonzalez. “He not only has a deep understanding of the game of basketball and an impressive network to help our student-athletes who would like to pursue collegiate athletics but understands the importance of developing the whole student-athlete.”

Coach Parker grew up in the Southwest, attending Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas where he studied Intercultural Studies and played baseball for the Lions.

It wasn’t until years later when his daughter, who played NCAA Division 1 basketball at  East Tennessee State University and Eastern New Mexico University and is currently a grad assistant at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, started playing basketball that his coaching career began.

Since then, Coach Parker has been mentored by some of the sports greatest coaches, including NBA Coaching Veteran Gene Littles, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame player Jennifer Gillom, CIF Coach of the Year Mary Hauser and NAIA Hall of Fame Coach Russ Davis.

“I hold the position of head girls basketball coach at Pacifica Christian in such high regard because of the opportunity it provides to positively impact young lives through ministry, compassion, mentoring, leading, and teaching the principles and truths of Jesus Christ our Lord by using the game of basketball,” Parker said in the release.

“My goals are to create a culture that helps them realize their potential as young adults, on and off the court, pursue excellence in both academics and athletics, and create a winning program filled with tradition, all while being led and guided by the gospel teachings of our faith.”

School officials plan to hold a meet and greet with the new coach in the future.

-Courtesy Pacifica Christian Athletics