James Kinzler needs no introduction to San Marcos boys basketball players — but he got one Thursday as he was announced as the program’s new varsity head coach, replacing Jelani Hicks.
Kinzler has worked the past six years as the Royals’ frosh-soph coach, then JV coach, and finally as varsity assistant coach.
“He knows the kids, he knows the program, he knows the school,” San Marcos athletic director Abe Jahadhmy said, after announcing the selection to a large group of San Marcos players.
“He knows the game inside out. He’s very fair with every kid. That’s big with me. He loves kids. He’s so organized.”
Hicks announced he was stepping down as coach in February, after leading the Royals to a third straight Channel League championship. In his four years at the helm, he compiled a record of 61-35 as coach.
“I could not be more excited and more grateful for the opportunity to be here,” Kinzler said to the players and a few coaches. When he started six years ago, becoming head coach was not on his radar.
“I was just happy to be a part of it and to help with the freshmen,” he said. This position is “just a chance to continue to serve you guys and your families.
“Serving for me is serving not just this present moment, but serving the history, remembering that we kind of carry the torch, and remembering that we’ll hand it over someday”
Kinzler is a San Marcos parent as well, father of Thomas, a 2021 graduate who played basketball and baseball, and daughter Cady, a 2019 graduate who ran cross country.
When Kinzler started with basketball coaching at San Marcos, Landon Boucher was head coach, a tenure that culminated in a CIF-SS Division 2A title in 2018.
“I’ve had a chance to work with some amazing coaches,” Kinzler said. “Coach Boucher my first couple of years, he’s now the head coach at Westmont.
“Coach Hicks stepped in, and has done an amazing job for our program.”
He gave shout-outs as well to coaches Shawn Banks, Liam Aranson and Alan Kadlec.
“I’ve learned so much from these guys,” Kinzler said. “It’s been a great, great team to work with. And our players. I mean, to be honest, it’s been really, really cool.”
He’ll have former San Marcos star Stefan Korfas on his coaching staff. Korfas was a starting guard on the CIF championship team in 2018.
Looking ahead, Kinzler cited “high expectations. Demanding work. And we plan to do all that. And have a lot of fun in the process.”
While he had the players in front of him, he discussed summer practices, leagues and tournaments that will start next month, and started exchanging contact information with the players, meeting separately afterward with the seniors, juniors and sophomores in attendance.
“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be great. I’m stoked,” Kinzler said.
There was a hiring process, Jahadhmy said. But Kinzler was “my first choice.”
“I’m really stoked, I’m really, really happy” that first choice was hired, Jahadhmy said.