The Irvine Valley athletic department is proud to announce Jason Garey as the new head coach of the women's basketball team.
He replaces legendary coach Julie Hanks, who retired from coaching after 25 years. Hanks will continue as an instructor at the college.
Hanks was the winningest coach with Irvine Valley women's basketball and ended with a record of 440-228 overall.
IVC won its fourth straight Orange Empire Conference title last year and reached the semifinals of the California Community College Athletic Association state championship event. It was the third state event appearance under coach Hanks.
Hanks had an outstanding record of 100-17 during the past four seasons (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2021-22).
But coach Hanks was ready to move on and is enthusiastic about Garey taking over the program.
"I am really proud that Jason was hired," Hanks said. "I think he is going to do a great job. He knows basketball. It is refreshing to see what he is bringing to practices. He has that energy and wants to work. I know he is ready to continue what we have done with the program."
Garey spent 13 years as an assistant for the men's basketball squad at Irvine Valley and the last seven seasons as the associate head coach.
"I am super excited to take over the women's basketball program," Garey said. "Julie has set a very high standard, is one of the best coaches around and has done a marvelous job putting together an envorinment and team that is a state contender year in and year out, as well as moving on student-athletes with basketball and academics."
Garey was a standout player himself. He was one of the best shooters in Orange County high school history.
Garey was a star player in Irvine at University High. He led the Trojans to the 2001 Pacific Coast League title in his senior season.
He was named the Pacific Coast League's MVP, the Irvine City co-MVP, second team all-CIF and second team all-Orange County.
Garey broke the Orange County record for three-pointers in a season with 145 his senior season and he tied the record for three-pointers in a game with 11.
He moved on to Orange Coast from 2001-04 and was the all-time leader in three-pointers made at OCC when he left.
He made 111 three-pointers in the 2003 season, which was the second most in the state.
Garey went on to play at Cal State East Bay from 2004-06. He helped his team reach 12th in the nation ranking for NAIA Division II during the 2005-06 season.
"I am excited to use everything I have learned from my friend and coach Jerry Hernandez (Irvine Valley men's coach) over the last 13 years," Garey said. "But, already being in the gym with this team has been so much fun. I can't wait to work even more as we get closer to the season. And I want to continue the tradition here at Irvine Valley with women's basketball."
Garey helped the Irvine Valley men's basketball team make the So. Cal. Regional playoffs in three of the last five years. He helped the men's basketball team move almost 70 Irvine Valley student-athletes on to four-year colleges.
He has his Master's degree from Concordia University.
He is a proud husband to Sarah and sons Kylan and Keaton.
