Cary Nerelli Resigns as Head Women's Basketball Coach

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - After spending nearly a decade at the helm of the women's basketball program, Cary Nerelli has stepped down from his duties with the team at Allan Hancock College. He exits the AHC coaching ranks with an overall record of 118-108 through nine seasons.

"It has been an honor to serve Allan Hancock over the last nine seasons," stated Nerelli. "I have been blessed to coach some great young women on my teams here and I am proud of the success we've had, both on and off the court."

This season, the Bulldogs boasted an overall record of 18-12 with an 8-4 mark against Western State Conference foes. Hancock advanced to the second round of the SoCal Regionals after collecting the program's second consecutive postseason victory by topping Victor Valley College in the opening round. 

Prior to the pandemic, Coach Nerelli's squad finished the 2019-20 season with a 14-16 overall record, which included a 3-5 mark in Western State Conference action, and qualified for SoCal Regional action. The No. 19-seeded Bulldogs upset South Coast Conference Champion and No. 14-seed, Long Beach City College (20-9, 10-0), in the first round while giving AHC its first postseason victory since 1993.

Nerelli's 118 career wins at AHC ranks him as the second winningest coach in program history behind long-time head coach Sheri Bates' total of 170. During his tenure, Nerelli has coached one CCCAA All-State athlete, 20+ All-Conference selections, and has helped more than 35 athletes move on to the next level. 

"I will miss Cary very much and I'll miss his passion for coaching. He's been in the coaching ranks for more than five decades and showed no signs of slowing down. I respect and appreciate him as he turns the page for this next chapter," shared Athletic Director Kim Ensing. "He has done a tremendous job with the women's basketball program and I'll always be grateful for his dedication to the success of our student-athletes, both on and off the court. He has always given his heart and soul to the program."

Information on applying for the women's basketball coaching position will be available here at a later date.