Van Girard
Head Coach

Monique Marquez
Ass't. Coach

Brandi McGinest
Ass't. Coach

Van Girard, Head Coach E-mail Van Girard

Van Girard begins his 19th season at the helm of the Cal State Dominguez Hills women’s basketball program. The winningest basketball coach in the history of the school, Girard has put his trademark stamp of hard-nosed pressure defense to go along with an up-tempo style of play on the Carson campus.

Since Girard took over the reigns in 1988, he has turned the Toros into one of the top NCAA Division II programs on the West Coast. He has led CSUDH to two-consecutive CCAA titles (1995-96), three runner-up finishes (including the 2004-05 campaign) and three third-place finishes in one of the strongest conferences in the country. He also guided the Toros to the CCAA Tournament even times, while earning three NCAA West Region playoff appearances.

Girard’s record speaks for itself. He is atop the school’s all-time coaching record list, compiling a 234-248 mark en route to being named the CCAA Coach of the Year five times, including a stretch of three-consecutive years (1994-96). On December 27, 2003, Girard achieved his milestone 200th win in a 53-48 victory over cross-town rival Cal State L.A.

Girard likes to play a very up-tempo style of basketball while incorporating his trademark man-to-man pressure defense. The opposition knows to expect a swarming high-pressure defense and a creative offense when they face Girard’s squad. Known as a teacher of fundamentals, Girard has coached one All-American, five All-West Region players, three CCAA Conference MVPs and 35 all-conference players.

Prior to Cal State Dominguez Hills, Girard served as Assistant Athletics Director at Lynwood High School and the girl’s varsity basketball coach for ten years. During that span, he compiled an incredible 230-48 career record for an amazing winning percentage of .827. In creating a dynasty at Lynwood, Girard led his team to 10-straight playoff berths, seven-consecutive San Gabriel Valley Conference championships, two CIF championship appearances and two Southern Regional State playoff championships, with 1986 culminating in a CIF title.

During his tenure at Lynwood HS, he was twice honored as the Los Angeles Times “4A Coach of the Year.” Even more impressive, Girard was honored as the California and CIF “Coach of the Year” in 1986. Fifteen players under his tutelage earned NCAA Division I or Division II athletic scholarships at the collegiate level.

In a March 5, 2004, ceremony held at the Pyramid on the campus of Cal State Long Beach, Girard forever was immortalized for his achievements at the prep level. Along with Southern California coaching notables Ron Palmer (LB Poly), Gary Prestesator (San Dimas HS) and Cliff Warren (El Segundo, Rolling Hills, Redondo and Peninsula High Schools), the CSULB alumnus was inducted into the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (SCIBCA) for the legacy he left at Lynwood HS.

While at CSUDH, Girard has had a heart for the local community. He works closely with the local Boys & Girl’s clubs providing free coaches and team clinics. He also works closely with the City of Carson Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the local Carson-Gardena YMCA in providing more opportunities for girl’s basketball.

Girard is a 1977 graduate of Long Beach State, earning his bachelor’s degree in History. He resides in Norwalk and has two daughters, Jenell and Britnie.

Monique Marquez, Assistant Coach

Coach Marquez begins her second season as the top assistant coach for the Toros after enjoying a stellar four-year career as CSUDH’s floor general for head coach Van Girard.

“Coach Marquez is kind of my shadow in terms of her responsibilities,” begins Girard. “She is involved in player evaluations, recruitment, fundraising, works most with guards and little bit with posts, scouting, administrative work... Mo does it all. She has been a really, really positive addition to the program.”

In her career, Marquez played in 82 of 104 games in Cardinal & Gold, including 14 contests in 2004 during which she suffered a season-ending injury in the Toros’ 13th game. A consummate example of hard work on the floor and in practice, Marquez increased her points per game, steals per game, and minutes per game averages every season as a Toro.

Marquez often drew praise from Girard on the floor, and looks to duplicate her efforts on the sidelines with the new Toro generation.

In addition to her Toro coaching duties, Marquez is a youth and high school basketball official, and is currently employed by the Long Beach Unified School District as a P.E. equipment manager for the California Academy of Math and Science (C.A.M.S.).

Previously, Marquez spent time coaching for the Pomona Valley YMCA Youth Basketball Program, coaching youth from 5-17, and oversaw the basketball program as the Basketball Coordinator for the entire YMCA.

Marquez, who earned her degree in liberal studies in 2005 from CSUDH, resides in Whittier.

Brandi McGinest, Assistant Coach

Coach Brandi McGinest begins her first season on the coaching staff, after playing last season for the Toros.

“Coach McGinest’s responsibility will mostly extend to the office and working with the posts on the floor. My biggest concern with a player who turns around and joins the coaching staff is ‘Have they made that switch from being a player to being a coach, and do the players see her as a coach?’ She has a real touch with the players, and I think the players respond to her in a coach-like way. She has been a positive and pleasant addition to the staff. She also gives us some balance on the coaching staff, because Monique is so much like me, the players need someone they can go to and vent a bit.”

In her one season as a Toro, McGinest averaged 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while playing just under 20 minutes a game. McGinest showed extreme athleticism when on the floor and brought much-needed leadership to a young team in her lone year in the Cardinal and Gold.

Coach McGinest has been an assistant coach at Long Beach City College and is currently working toward a B.S. in Health Science with a minor in Biology.