Gavilan's outcome doesn't diminish the moment of Llanes' historic coaching moment

CCCAA Men's Basketball: Scores l Standings

GILROY - Gavilan College's Melissa "Moe" Llanes became the first woman to serve as the head coach of a California community college men's basketball team when she subbed in for head coach Derek Jensen, who was sidelined due to protocols.

Normally the women's head coach, Llanes has been working as a men's assistant this year after the college was unable to field a women's team. This season, she has been an active participant, running practices and leading many of the gameday shootarounds.

Although, No. 10 West Valley scored an 85-59 victory, it didn't ruin the moment.

"Yes, I was nervous," she said after the game. "It is different coaching on the men's side. There is more talent, more action. But I know the players would listen to me and support me, so once the game began, I was fine.

"It is always just a game, but at the end of the day, this was different because it had never happened before (at the California community college level). So, it put more on today's game because it is history, but hopefully (this opportunity) happens a lot more, not just this one time."

Overall, Llanes is in her eighth year with Gavilan College. She served seven years as the associate head coach for the women's program and then in 2019 became interim head coach. She started her coaching career at Live Oak High School where she was the head assistant coach, focusing on post development. She then moved to Cabrillo College where she was in charge of player development as well as strength training.

She said, she loves to focus on player development on and off the court, team defense, strength and conditioning, as well as helping student-athletes. She has also coached AAU with Strictly Hoops of Marin and Lady Warriors of the South Bay.

"It is exciting (to be the first), but it isn't for me," Llanes said. "I believe that females can do anything. I just think (tonight) speaks to what women can accomplish. Tonight, was just another opportunity to highlight it. I'm proud of those who paved the way to this opportunity, and in the end, it was just me who was able to do it.

"But I never thought this (opportunity) would come about in an official game, maybe a scrimmage, but certainly not this."

A former Live Oak High School athlete herself, she was a two-sport, three-year varsity athlete. Playing volleyball and basketball for the Acorns, she earned all-league honorable mention for basketball. She then played two years of college basketball and volleyball at Cabrillo College, earning first team all-conference both years for basketball. Llanes received a scholarship to continue her playing career in both sports at Notre Dame de Namur University. At NDNU, she earned a BA in Liberal Arts and then a master's degree in Sports Leadership from Concordia University.

"I am incredibly proud to be part of this," Ron Hannon, Dean of Health & Wellness and Athletic Director, said. "To see her make history. And, it doesn't surprise me because of who she is and what she stands for. This wasn't a platform, this is life. Tonight, highlighted the importance of providing opportunities, period. It has been a joy to see her working with the men's staff and watching her contribute the way she has this year.

"Just to be part of tonight was amazing, and I am extremely proud of her and what she has contributed to this basketball program at Gavilan College."

(Robert Schmidt, CCCMBCA)