Chaffey College Athletic Director, Dean to Bring Excellence from Behind the Scenes

Gary Plunkett had begun his first year as a basketball coach for Cal State Dominguez Hills in 1995 when his team faced the formidable Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Plunkett chalked it up to a loss until his mentor – the legendary Dave Yanai – suggested turning the team’s strategy against them. Three days of intense offensive drills later, the Toros stunned Grand Canyon with a double-digit victory.

In the locker room celebration, the team captain thanked the coaches for the game plan.

“The players are the ones who are executing on the floor, but to have a team captain say that – it’s a special moment in my career as a coach,” he said.

After more than 20 years as a coach and academic leader, Plunkett is bringing that same humble student-centered approach to Panther Country as the new athletic director and dean.

“I consider myself a behind-the-scenes leader – not someone who looks to stand in front of the microphone at any opportunity, but if given the opportunity and I’m asked I will,” he said.

Plunkett, who started Nov. 17, now oversees the athletics department – including the college’s 14 teams, coaches and staff - as well as the kinesiology and nutrition programs under Chaffey’s Health and Wellness Academic and Career Community. It’s a homecoming for Plunkett, who previously served as women’s basketball coach for the Panthers from 2005 to 2014.

A South Bay native, Plunkett graduated from Rolling Hills High School before enrolling at Cal State Dominguez Hills. He played basketball with various community, church and intramural leagues, but never competitively with high school or college teams – something that is rare among coaches and athletic directors. His calling as a coach came when he saw the benefit of strategy over athleticism.

“I started to realize that when individuals are taught how to think the game, they can be successful and even outcompete players who are way more athletic, stronger and jump higher,” he said.

He served as assistant women’s basketball coach for the Toros, as well as assistant basketball coach and kinesiology instructor at Cal State Los Angeles. Plunkett earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Cal State Long Beach while coaching. His dedication to player success transcended the court to the classroom, where he even tutored players in academics to help them maintain eligibility.

One player he remembers, Ronald Johnson, had fallen so far behind on his grades that he couldn’t play. But Plunkett connected him with tutors, and even tutored him in math himself.

“It gave him the mindset of being a student first,” he said.

Johnson went on to regain eligibility and was named a Division II All American and Conference Player of the Year.

Plunkett has 20 years of leadership experience in regional and state athletic conferences.

He also brings a wealth of experience leading academic programs, most recently as College of the Desert dean of health sciences and education. He oversaw directors, faculty and staff, leading the college to successful accreditations in the physical therapist assistant and nursing programs, as well as the opening of the college’s child development center in Indio.

Plunkett plans to work closely with Health and Wellness Dean Eric Sorenson, as well as the athletics department staff to assess the programs and determine how best he can support employees and students. He also wants to assist with fundraising alongside the Chaffey College Foundation, and meet with athletic directors at local high schools to assist with recruiting.

He is excited to hit the ground running in his new role.

“It seemed like the perfect fit for me to return to Chaffey at this time,” he said. “I feel right at home.”