This year’s Hawks steadily built a resume as one of the best this season. A resume placing them as arguably the best head coach James Giacomazzi has ever had. They broke several team records, including being named the No.1 ranked team in the state for the first time in program history.
“They’re all like your kids,” Giacomazzi said of his different seasons with the Hawks. “So year one, 2021-22 and this year, it’s kind of like deciding which kid you love the best and I just love them all.”
On Wednesday, March 12, another compelling accolade was added to this year’s Hawks’ favorite child claim. After leading the Hawks to a 28-4 record, Giacomazzi was named Northern California Coach of the Year by the California Community College Men’s Basketball Association (CCCMBCA).
He received the honor during the CCCMBCA Champions Banquet, held annually the day before the state championship tournament begins.
This recognition comes 27 years after Giacomazzi got his coaching start. In the scope of basketball, it’s been a lifetime. Throughout it all, he’s learned under prestigious mentors, taking every lesson while forming his own coaching identity.
It’s an identity that prides itself on competitiveness. To play under Giacomazzi, you must bring a high level of intensity, vigor and a relentless pursuit to get better. If nothing else, a Giacomazzi-led team will play hard. A mentality that’s led this year’s Hawks to their second-ever state championship trip.
“If our players play with great passion and energy, it bodes well for me because I coach with great energy and passion,” Giacomazzi said. “So, guys who are pretty lazy, guys who are pretty complacent, we don’t mesh well together.”
Giacomazzi grew up around the game. His father, Jim, also coached basketball. As a player for Washington High, he played under Guin Boggs, who is in the school’s Hall of Fame. They won a championship together during Giacomazzi’s sophomore season.
Boggs taught him to find the positive within any situation. An earthquake made it so they couldn’t practice in their normal home gym, as it needed repairs. The team would practice anywhere — gyms with carpets on the floors, sometimes outside. Through it all, Boggs kept a positive outlook.
At San Jose City College, Giacomazzi played under Percy Carr — the all-time winningest coach in California Community College history with 900 wins. Giacomazzi learned from his competitive spirit, calling him the “ultimate competitor.”
He formed his coaching style by taking bits and pieces from all the greats in his life. The way his teams play matches who he is on the sideline. During every game, no matter if the Hawks are down two or up 30, he’s running up and down the court. He’s yelling towards his players, the refs, the bench. His face contorts with every missed rebound, bad pass, sloppy decision. His coaching energy is contagious.
It’s the mentality required of a winner. He played for some of the greatest winners in California, seemingly picking up on the secret. In his 10 years coaching the Hawks, he’s led them to the playoffs while boosting a winning record in each season. His regular-season record as a Hawk is 187-77.
But none of the wins mean as much as the connections he’s made. After receiving the award, he got messages from tons of former players, some as far as 20 years ago, congratulating him. While he pushes for excellence, he also emphasizes connection.
“All these messages from so many former players,” Giacomazzi said, “you feel like ‘Man, maybe I’ve done some things right here along the way.’ ”
Despite being an individual honor, he feels it’s a testament to his whole squad.
“This is not a James Giacomazzi award,” he said. “This is an award for all of our players. This is an award for my incredible coaching staff. Both of those parties make me a lot smarter.”
He’s not allowing himself any time to celebrate. His eyes are locked forward against the Citrus Owls — the ones standing in his way of achieving his furthest-ever playoff run at the helm off Las Positas. A team that might just pose the hardest coaching challenge he’s faced this season.
“I think there’s a lot of similarities in the two teams,” Giacomazzi said. “You know, it’s almost like playing ourselves in a way, so I think in some aspects we’ve been playing this game against Citrus tomorrow all year long.”
While this year’s Hawks possess plenty of moments on the court for why Giacomazzi should consider them their favorite, their best comes off the court. When Giacomazzi was named, his wife couldn’t hold back the tears of joy. He got a call from his two daughters, who screamed and congratulated him on the prestigious acknowledgment.
While buzzer-beater wins are nice, raw celebrations with his family will be what is forever edged into his memory.
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TOP PHOTO: James Giacomazzi has guided the Hawks to the state tournament for the second time in school history. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/ The Express)
Jakob Arnarsson is the Managing Editor and Sports Editor of The Express. Follow him on X, formally Twitter, @JakobA2004
