Providence hires new basketball coach

Steve Stokes

Steve Stokes

Providence welcomes Mr. Steve Stokes to the Patriots community as boys varsity basketball coach.

Coach Stokes has been associate head coach at Royal High School the past four seasons. During those four years, the Royal team experienced the most successful run in school history, reaching the CIF finals two years in a row.

A high school standout, Stokes began his coaching career as an 18-year-old put in charge of the Grace Brethren (Simi Valley) JV team, who had lost 93 consecutive games. In three seasons as the JV head coach, the team compiled a 31-29 record. When an opportunity arose to coach at his alma mater (Royal HS, Simi Valley), Coach Stokes jumped at it. Coaching the sophomore squad (JV level), his team won the Marmonte League title and two tournaments; beating Mater Dei, Long Beach Poly, and Orange Lutheran along the way.

Stokes was named “Coach of the Year” in the Ocean League in 2010, where he served as varsity coach at two charter schools in the CIF-LA sections. Both teams qualified for the CIF playoffs.

Stokes holds a bachelor’s degree in kineseology from Cal State Dominquez Hills. He replaces Ernie Quiroz, who decided not to return to the position, said Athletic Director Keith Luberto.

The young Patriots team he will be coaching reached the second round of CIF playoffs this past season, losing to fourth-seeded Joshua Springs by six points.