Claire Gocke is IVC's new girls basketball coach. (Photo courtesy of IVC Sports Info)
Claire Gocke, who led the Tustin High School girls basketball team to four Empire League championships and numerous CIF playoff appearances, has been named the new girls basketball coach at Irvine Valley College, officials announced Friday.
Gocke replaces Jason Garry, who led the program the past two seasons.
Garry returns to the boys team as IVC's co-head coach and basketball coordinator.
“I'm excited about this new opportunity to continue to grow this program by leveraging what Julie Hanks and Jason Garry have done for many years,” Gocke said in the IVC announcement. “Julie has been a legend for the last 25 years and Jason has done a fantastic job the past two seasons.”
Gocke has been Tustin's head coach for the past 12 years and knows the area well, and she plans to continue teaching physical education in Tustin.
She helped turn around Tustin's program, reaching the 200-win mark last season when the Tillers went 15-13 overall.
“The coaching there was excellent,” Gocke said. “When I joined as a 23-year-old, the team had barely won a game the previous year, and I was determined to turn it around.”
Coach Gocke has compiled a 211-124 overall record in 12 seasons, won four Empire League championships (2015, 2017, 2020, 2021), made multiple CIF playoff appearances and was named Empire League Coach of the Year twice.
Her 2021 team is Undefeated in the Empire League.
Gocke served as head coach of the North team in the Orange County North-South All-Star Game and was the recipient of the 2022 CIF Southern Section Jim Stanton Champion for Character Award for demonstrating the highest example of sportsmanship, character, integrity and athletic ability.
“And now, Irvine Valley is a new opportunity,” Gocke said. “I'm really excited to be here and I'm looking forward to the recruiting process and applying what I've learned in the high school community over the past 12 years.”
Gocke prides himself on being a passionate, driven and grit-filled coach who also understands the importance of team-building and character development outside of the classroom and court.
“It's about creating a culture and building a family dynamic,” she said. “I want to support my players and make sure they understand that we're all teammates and that they have a place they can call home.”
The Irvine Valley girls team will begin their season on Friday, November 1st at home against a powerhouse Palomar team at 7pm.
The Lasers will open Orange Empire Conference play on Wednesday, January 8th at home against Santa Ana at 5pm.
“I can't wait,” Gocke said, “to build on what Julie and Jason have accomplished. I can't wait to get in the gym and take advantage of the resources at IVC.”
—IVC Sports Information
