Coaching Staff


Gary Plunkett
Head Coach, Women's Basketball

Coach Plunkett begins his fourth season as head coach of the womens basketball team at Chaffey College. In his second and third seasons, Plunkett led the Panthers to the regional semifinals of the playoffs and reestablished Chaffey College as a power in Southern California Basketball. Plunkett's philosophy begins with great team defense, as evidenced by Chaffey's #4 State Ranking in team defense in 06-07 (holding opponents to 52.2ppg).

Prior to Chaffey College, Plunkett spent 11 years as an assistant coach, ten of those at the NCAA University level. Most recently he was the top assistant for the 2004-05 Cal State Dominguez Hills womens basketball team. Plunkett was in charge of team offense, strength and conditioning, and assisted in recruiting. He helped lead the Toros to their 1st NCAA playoffs in eight years.

He began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant for the California State University Dominguez Hills mens basketball team in 1995. After assistant coaching for five years at CSUDH for both mens and womens basketball programs, Plunkett went to California State University Los Angeles in 2000. There he coached the mens program for two years and served as the academic coordinator, helping the Golden Eagles with academic advisement and monitoring the teams tutoring and study hall activities. Plunkett spent another two years at CSULA coaching the womens program.

Plunkett received a Bachelor of Science in Geology with a minor in Physical Science from California State Dominquez Hills in 1998 and a Masters of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from California State Long Beach in 2003. Plunkett has five years of teaching experience at the university level. While at Cal State L.A. he served as an instructor of Kinesiology activity classes for four years. He taught both beginning and intermediate level courses in Basketball, Jogging, Weight Training and Physical Conditioning. While at Cal State Dominguez Hills, Plunkett served as a part-time lecturer for the Kinesiology department teaching Motor Learning, Lifetime Fitness, and a Senior Seminar in Kinesiology.

Coaching at Cal State L.A. provided Plunkett with more than outstanding coaching experience. He had the opportunity to serve on the advisory committee for the Evening with Legendary Coach John Wooden program and assisted with the Billie Jean King & Friends fundraising dinner and program. Plunkett also was instrumental in the organization of both the Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics Department Annual Golf Tournaments.

Plunkett has a great connection to the community in which he is coaching. He has played an integral role in coordinating youth programs. He and his Cal State L.A. players participated in the Read with the Golden Eagles a community outreach program that caters to local elementary schools. At Dominguez Hills, Plunkett and his players ran numerous off-season basketball clinics for the city of Carson, the Carson YMCA, and the Long Beach Boys and Girls Club. He has continued those programs here in Rancho Cucamonga with the Panther Youth Basketball Camp and his teams participation in the Read Across America program.

Coach Plunkett enjoys playing basketball, running, snowboarding, traveling, reading biographies, and attending church in Redondo Beach. He and his wife, Shaela, reside in Rancho Cucamonga and are currently awaiting the birth of twins.