Percy Carr, the long-time men’s basketball coach at San Jose City College who won the most games in California community college history, has died. He was 82.
“He’s all the things you would want in a coach,” said former player and former assistant coach James Giacomazzi, the men’s basketball head coach at Las Positas College in Livermore.
Over 45 years with the program from 1975 to 2019, Carr amassed 900 career wins — all with San Jose City College — leading the Jaguars to eight state tournaments, winning 12 conference championships and coaching 17 first-team all-state players. Carr is also considered the winningest Black men’s basketball coach in college basketball history, and in March 1998, he was inducted into the California Community College Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.
“I had the unique privilege to play for, and coach against Coach Carr,” San Jose City men’s basketball coach Devin Aye said in a statement. “He is arguably the most successful and respected basketball coach in history. His teams were well-coached, organized and were a powerhouse for decades. He took special pride in helping young men who needed mentoring and an opportunity, when the odds were stacked against them. He literally changed lives and altered the course for so many.
“His ability to advocate for his student-athletes and coaches was unmatched. When Coach Carr spoke, people listened. Every day I am reminded of the lasting imprints Coach Carr made here at SJCC. It’s my duty to keep his legacy alive, and make him proud of what he built for Jags athletics, and the house he built, Coach Carr Gymnasium.”
A true old-school coach, Carr was a disciplinarian intent on getting the most out of his players. During preseasons, Carr hosted grueling boot camps where his players wore bright gold short shorts and T-shirts that read, ‘Carr’s Boot Camp.’ There were occasions where Carr had his team workout three times in one day. To his players, those expectations, while demanding, derived from a place of love.
“His legacy is one of love, humor, compassion and ultimately helping young men and their families be successful through the game of basketball,” said Dallas Jensen, a former player and assistant coach under Carr who now serves as the head coach at College of the Sequoias. “I’ve never been around someone that can use the game to teach life lessons and life skills like Coach Carr.”
Added Giacomazzi, who had Carr serve as a groomsman in his wedding: “I thought I got yelled at more than any other player in the history of San Jose City College. He was on me like white on rice. I’m like, ‘Dude, I’m working hard.’ But he said, ‘You’re working hard, but you have to work hard, hard.’ That was his phrase.”
For all the wins, Carr took pride in preparing his players for life after San Jose City College. A former assistant coach at Stanford, Carr ensured his players’ academics were in check by developing the C.A.R.R. (Creative Activity Retention Response) Program, designed to make sure his …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
