With over 11 years of coaching and recruiting experience from every level of collegiate basketball, Darren French enters his second season as an assistant with Cal State East Bay in 2011-12.
In his first season on the sidelines, French helped the Pioneers rank in the top half of the conference in steals and turnover ratio. In addition, three Pioneer players ranked in the top 30 in the CCAA in scoring, led by Mark Samuels' 14.3 points per game. Samuels also ranked seventh in the league in steals, while Roshun Wynne was second in steals and Will Freedman was one of the top three-point shooters in the conference.
In three years with Cal State San Bernardino (2006-08, 2009-10), French gained valuable experience in the highly competitive CCAA, helping the Coyotes reach the Division II Final Four for the first time in 2007 and capture the 2008 CCAA championship. Last season, French helped guide the Coyotes to the CCAA Tournament title and an NCAA Division II West Regional semifinals appearance.
In 2008-09, French served as the top assistant at Howard College in Big Spring, Texas, where he helped lead the Hawks to the Region 5 Tournament semifinals. He also helped to recruit the players for the 2009-10 squad that won the NJCAA National Championship.
Prior to joining the Cal State San Bernardino staff, French was the head coach at Colorado Northwestern Community College in Craig, Colo., for the 2004-05 season. He also spent one season as an assistant at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. During his tenure with the Apaches, he was responsible for player development and recruiting, helping five players sign Division I scholarships and guiding the team to the Region 14 Tournament.
As an assistant for three seasons at UC Riverside from 2000-03, French helped recruit and develop 2003 Big West Freshman of the Year Nate Carter and saw the Highlanders collect 14 wins in their first two seasons as members of the Big West Conference.
In one season as the top assistant at Ventura College in 1999-2000, French helped to develop Desmond Penigar, who transferred to Utah State and was named 2003 Big West Conference Tournament MVP and 2004 NBDL Rookie of the Year. Prior to his time at Ventura College, French served as an assistant to Ernie Kent at Oregon, helping the Ducks take third in the Pac 10 and earn an NCAA Tournament berth in 1998.
As a prep athlete, French played for Biggs at James Logan High School in Union City.
A 1998 graduate of Cal State San Bernardino, French holds a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. He also earned a master’s degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific University.
