Coach Cary Nerelli is the new head coach of the Allan Hancock College women’s basketball team, pending board of trustees’ approval. An experienced basketball coach, Nerelli has spent the last 26 years as the head coach of the women’s varsity team at Morro Bay High School.

"I am going to be completely dedicated to building a competitive program at Allan Hancock College," Nerelli said. "There was a time when Hancock was on top of the conference and I believe if we work hard enough we can bring that back."

Nerelli will take over the women’s basketball program immediately and begin recruiting players for the 2013-14 season. He will be supported by returning assistant coaches Larry Carney and Louise Madrigal.

"Coach Nerelli has a proven record of developing players and establishing quality women’s basketball teams and we’re excited to welcome him into the Bulldog family," said Kim Ensing, associate dean/athletic director, kinesiology, recreation and athletics.

A Central Coast native, Nerelli has more than 40 years of basketball coaching experience. He has earned Los Padres League Coach of the Year honors a total of six times, and for the last three seasons in a row.

While coaching at Morro Bay High School, Nerelli has led his teams to five league championships, including three in a row beginning in 2011, and three California Interscholastic Federation championships. The Pirates have reached the CIF playoffs in 11 of the last 12 seasons and went on to the state tournament six times, playing in the regional finals in 1991 and 1992. The 2013 squad made an appearance in the CIF final four, losing in the quarterfinals to Windward High School, then ranked fourth in the nation. Nerelli leaves Morro Bay High School with a 456-219 overall record and 27 consecutive Los Padres League wins under his belt.

"I’m very excited to be moving to the community college level." Nerelli said. "This is a great challenge and one I’m eager to take on with the help of the great coaching staff at Allan Hancock College."

Nerelli plans to bring his "Four C’s" coaching philosophy of character, competitiveness, chemistry and commitment, to the Hancock women’s program. His first task, he said, will be to recruit players from the Central Coast and beyond.

"There is enough local talent here, that if we can get those athletes to come to Hancock, we can turn this program around," he said.

In addition to his proven track record as a coach, Nerelli noted that he has extensive experience placing players at the next level and plans to focus on developing Hancock basketball players to transfer to four-year universities.

"I believe in coaching the whole person and want to make sure our team members develop as basketball players while also getting the whole college experience," he said. "This is a whole new program and we’re looking for eager, hard-working student-athletes to join us on this mission."

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