SMC Basketball Coach Joshua Thomas Scores National Honor

Santa Monica College Head Coach Joshua Thomas discussing, and drawing up a play to his team during a timeout of the Regional Finals. Santa Monica, CA March 7, 2020 (Kevin Tidmore/ The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) basketball head coach Joshua Thomas was named one of 50 most impactful Junior College basketball coaches nationally. This achievement comes on the heels of coach Thomas finishing his third season leading the Corsairs, which includes back-to-back 20- win seasons in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. In the Corsairs’ first season under coach Thomas, 2017-2018, SMC finished with a 3-22 record.

His 2018-2019 season went better, along with earning his first 20-win season, he also led the Corsairs to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Tournament, their first appearance since 1988. Not only did SMC make an appearance, but they made a deep run going as far as the elite eight round.

Thomas’ team included up to nine freshmen, and with all of them returning for the 2019-2020 season; his team was poised to make another run at the state title. Although the team fell short of those goals, there is no denying the improvement that has gone on under coach Thomas tutelage going from 3 wins to a 21-9 record.

“It was great to be recognized that way is awesome… however, this recognition that I got is really not limited to just myself. It’s nice being noticed for that but I have to first thank the actual student-athletes that’s the biggest thing,” coach Thomas said. “Every assistant coach that we have [including] Devon Richardson, Justin Maidenberg, Ben Doran all those guys have been very instrumental in our program.”

Coach Thomas recognized that his assistant coaches are important when it comes to player development, offensive and defensive game plans, and recruiting. He also acknowledged his team managers and their contributions to the team behind the scenes.

Although a state championship is something that coach Thomas eyes, he also has a goal of getting his players scholarships. His motto “Hoop-N-Ship” is something he preaches to his players, it’s about his players playing basketball for a championship while also playing for a chance to get a full-ride scholarship to a Division I school. Seven of his eight sophomores are on track to graduate this spring, with one of his players, Elias King, fielding scholarship offers from five different Division I schools.

In his three years coaching at SMC, coach Thomas has left an impact on his players whether it is on the court or off the court. The next challenge will be winning a state championship which has evaded Santa Monica College since 1972.