Coach Andrew Vasher

This is Andy Vasher ‘s fifth  season as Hartnell Men’s Basketball Head Coach. Coach Vasher is known as a program builder and a culture changer. In his second season at Hartnell he guided the Panthers to a Coast South Championship and a Final 8 ranking in California Community Colleges.  Since that time his times have hit the state rankings each year and are known for playing one of the toughest schedules in the state.

Coach Vasher has a strong history of rebuilding programs. In his final three as a Boy’s Head High school coach in Arizona, he compiled a record of 74-18. At his last Junior College, his last three years he compiled a 76-23 record, at top ten ranking and playoff appearance each year. It also included a Regional Championship, Conference Championship and a Final 8 appearance.

As strong as his teams have been on the court the success in the classroom has been even higher. In the eleven years as a Junior College Head Coach Andy Vasher has a 100% transfer rate of his student/athletes to four year colleges and universities. He has received invitations to speak at the California Community College Presidents Council on his Academic Program and why it brings such success. As a High school head coach Andy’s team earned ALL-Arizona Scholastic team awards all six years he was there. Coach Vasher’s student/athletes have found success on and off the court. Seven of his former students have played professionally and eleven have gone on to complete graduate degrees.

Coach Vasher also has experience as an assistant at the NCAA level at D-1 and D-2 programs. This experience helps in creating a network for our student/athletes as they continue their player and academic careers after Hartnell. Furthermore, Coach Vasher participated at the collegiate level playing basketball at Eastern Arizona College and Lewis-Clark State College.

Coach Vasher is also active in fund raising for the men’s basketball program and the athletic department. He takes a lead role in conducting youth basketball camps for ages 5-18 throughout the year. Participation is high in the camps, tournament and leagues with over 1700 participants this past year. In addition to the camps, tournament and leagues, his teams are active in the community.  Coach Vasher believes the college experience should be more than just books and basketball. He encourages his student/athletes to become well rounded people, providing them opportunities for growth and developing leadership skills through service in the community.  Hartnell Men’s Basketball Coaches and student/athletes average over ten hours a week engaging in community service to local youth groups, church groups and community organizations.

Coach Vasher is married to his wife Julie of twenty five years. They have six children and three grandchildren. Allison who is married with two children; Nathan is married with one child and is in graduate school at University of Denver(former student assistant in program); Joe who is on an LDS mission in Mexico; Kyle a senior at Salinas high, Matthew is in the 5th grade and Grace is in the second grade.