Damaine Powell Named New Head Men's Basketball Coach at CSUDH
Highly successful Compton College coach selected to lead Toros program
August 19, 2004

CARSON, Calif.--(August 19, 2004)--Today marks a homecoming of sorts after Damaine Powell, who has coached at nearby Compton College for the last seven years, was announced as the new head coach of the Cal State Dominguez Hills men's basketball program at a press conference on the Carson campus.

Damaine Powell (center) has been named the new men's basketball coach at CSUDH. He comes to the Toros from nearby Compton College. Also picture with Powell is Athletics Director Ron Prettyman (left) and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Boice Bowman. Photo by Gary Kuwahara - CSUDH

Powell, who led the Tarters to State Junior College titles last season as well as in the 1997-98 campaign, takes over a program that has an overall record of 12-37 over the last two years. \

"It feels so good to be here," said Powell. "I am excited to have the opportunity to lead CSUDH. I am looking forward to working with the University and athletics administration to build the Toros into a championship caliber program."

Cal State Dominguez Hills didn't have to look far in order to find the right man for the job. Powell has enjoyed unparalleled success on the JUCO level compiling a 152-60 overall record in seven seasons at Compton College. He is believed to be the youngest coach ever to capture a State title when at 24, in his fist year as head coach during the 1997-98 season, he led the Tarters to the State Championship with a 27-3 record. Powell led the program to a second championship just last year when they defeated American River JC, finishing 17-8 on the season. In between his first and last years at Compton, Powell led his cagers to the State playoffs every season, including a semifinal berth in 1998-99.

Prior to Compton College, Powell served on the men's basketball staff at USC. Photo by Gary Kuwahara - CSUDH

Powell intends to bring the same success he enjoyed just across the Artesia 91 Freeway to Cal State Dominguez Hills. Commenting on the abundance of local talent, Powell is excited to begin the process of putting his thumbprint on the Toro program.

"CSUDH should be a basketball power, and I am going to make sure I do everything I can to make it that," he says. Coming to the program as a late hire after the official recruiting period was over, the first-year coach knows at least one thing for sure about the team he inherits.

"I can't predict how we will do record wise, but I do know that we will be an exciting team to watch, and that the fans will appreciate our efforts every time we step onto the court."

CSUDH Athletics Director Ron Prettyman is thrilled in welcoming Powell to the Toro family. "Damaine Powell is an outstanding coach that will bring an exciting brand of basketball to CSUDH," says Prettyman.

"He is a proven winner, is an educator with a Master's Degree in History, and is a great role model. Damaine has a wealth of experience as a player and a coach, yet has the unique ability to relate, mentor and effectively motivate our student-athletes. We are pleased to welcome him to the Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics family."

Prior to Compton College, Powell served on the men's basketball staff at USC from 1995-97 under coaches Charles Parker and current Trojan coach Henry Bibby. During his three seasons, Powell helped the Trojans to a 39-47 overall record, including a 17-11 mark in 1996-97 when USC dropped a 90-77 decision to Illinois in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Under legendary former USC head coach George Raveling, Powell enjoyed two winning seasons from 1992-93 to 1993-94, when the Trojans qualified for back-to-back NIT berths. As a senior co-captain in his final regular season game, Powell connected for the game-winning basket with 2.6 seconds left to propel USC to a 69-68 victory at Oregon State, sending them to the NIT Tournament. During his career, he averaged 2.2 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

"Damaine worked as hard as anybody and was a great person to have on our club," says Raveling. "I always felt that one day he would be an outstanding coach, and he proved that at Compton College. I fully expect him to bring success to Cal State Dominguez Hills."

At Long Beach City College, Powell was the South Coach Conference Player of the Year in 1991-92, averaging 9.8 points, 6.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game, leading the Vikings to a 31-6 record and a semifinal appearance in the state junior college tournament. As a freshman, he averaged 4.7 points, 3.9 assists and 2.2 steals for LBCC, which finished 32-5 and made the state championship game.

Powell is no stranger to the Carson campus. A native of the local community who prepped at Long Beach St. Anthony's High School, he grew up in the Torodome shooting hoops and attending legendary and former CSUDH head coach Dave Yanai's basketball camps. Powell, whose mother is a former professor at Cal State Dominguez Hills, intends to bring more than wins to the Carson campus.

"It's almost surreal coming back to campus as the basketball coach," he says. "To come full-circle is humbling, and I am honored to be here. Relationships are what make this University great. Today is one of the proudest days of my life."

POWELL'S COACHING RECORD

Record/Postseason/Honors 
USC 1994-95             9-19 
USC 1995-96            13-17 
USC 1996-97            17-11/Lost 1st Rd. NCAA's 
USC Totals 3 Years     39-47
Compton JC 1997-98         27-3/State Champions/
                           State and SCC Coach of the Year 
Compton JC 1998-99         25-8/State Semifinals/SCC Coach of the Year 
Compton JC 1999-00         29-5/Second Round 
Compton JC 2000-01         20-10/Second Round/SCC Coach of the Year 
Compton JC 2001-02         19-11/Second Round 
Compton JC 2002-03         15-15/First Round 
Compton JC 2003-04         17-8/State Champions 
Compton JC Totals 7 Years  152-60