Bio

Greg was born on September 13, 1986 in Pittsburg, CA.

He went to Vintage High School in Napa, CA.

Greg has been married to his wife, Vanessa, since 2019, and they have a son named Kai.

College:

California State University | Fullerton, CA
B.A. Business Administration – Marketing

Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR
M.S. Sports Administration

Bio Sheet

Experience

  • Dominican University, San Rafael, CA

    • Led the women’s basketball program to the second most wins in a season while matching the best conference finish in school history (second).

    • Helped double the program’s winning percentage from .314 (11-24 over previous two seasons) to .643 (18-10).

    • Assisted Dominican to their first victory over a top 10 nationally ranked opponent by securing a road win against the third ranked team in the country (Azusa Pacific).

    • Coordinated defensive schemes that produced program records for opponent three-point field goal percentage (24.8%), total steals (325), steals per game (11.6), total turnovers forced (590), and turnovers forced per game (21.1), resulting in the second-best turnover margin (+4.6) and points allowed per game (65.5) in school history.

    • Utilized film and analytics to design player development plans that increased the points per game and/or field goal percentage for every returning player, including the nation’s third leading scorer during the 2021-2022 season.

    • Successfully recruited the largest roster in program history with top-ranked high school and junior college student-athletes while working with a limited program and scholarship budget.

    • Organized study hall schedules and monitored academic progress, leading to a 3.3 team GPA.

    • Mentored one PacWest all-conference first-team selection and NCAA DII All- American, and one PacWest all-conference second-team selection.

  • Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA

    • Led the men’s basketball program to their first ever National tournament (2016-2017) following a record season of 18-7 (.720) and received the first nationally ranked votes for men’s basketball in school history.

    • Led the team to victory as the Cal Pac Tournament Champions (2016-2017), the first ever Championship win in any sport in school history.

    • Dramatically improved an inherited 48-207 (.188) program to (.519) in first three seasons by identifying individual player and team strengths and implementing coaching methods that yielded school records in wins.

    • Coached the team in finishing third in the conference during first season as head coach following a record of 4-27, with an average loss of 18.3 points-per-game the prior year before assuming head coach role.

    • Achieved a 13 points-per-game increase from 2014 to 2015, thereby achieving the best finish in program history.

    • Recorded upset wins over NCAA DII and NCAA DIII programs, including three wins against Holy Names, three wins over UC Santa Cruz, and additional wins over San Francisco State, Sonoma State and Whittier College.

    • Graduated an average of five players each year, with a minimum of two players per year recognized with Scholar-Athlete awards, including a nationally recognized Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete award winner.

    • Coached eight all-conference first-team selections, three all-conference second-team selections, fourteen honorable mentions, and one newcomer of the year.

  • Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA

    • Managed the college’s Department of Athletics compliance services across eight sport programs in accordance with NAIA, California Pacific Conference, and high level Pacific Union College rules, regulations, and procedures.

    • Designed new strategies and procedures that enabled student-athletes to achieve greater classroom success, thereby working towards graduation and maintaining eligibility.

    • Introduced a Scholar Athlete Recognition Program that honors the academic achievements of athletes and awarded over 200 scholar-athletes during a six-year span for maintaining GPA’s of 3.0 or above.

    • Successfully increased student-athlete eligibility retention by 10% in first year.

  • Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA

    • Recruited and mentored academically and athletically talented student-athletes.

    • Updated and maintained team rosters and program stats and historic records, nominated student-athletes for post-season awards, and promoted program and student-athlete achievements with local media outlets.

    • Coached two players who were selected to the Cal Pac Conference first and second all-conference teams.

  • Golden State Warriors, Oakland, CA

    • Led youth basketball coaching camps throughout the Bay Area.

    • Developed training methods and customized drills to increase the skill levels of campers of all ages and ability levels.

    • Assisted Stephen Curry in coaching his overnight basketball camps.

    • Selected to work overnight basketball camps alongside Draymond Green, Jordan Bell, Damian Jones, Shaun Livingston, and Zaza Pachulia.

    • Recipient of multiple Coach of the Week awards.

  • Brea-Olinda High School, Brea, CA

    • Led player skill development and directed strength and conditioning for all levels.

    • Coached the team to back-to-back CIF Southern Section playoff appearances.

    • Led the team in reaching the CIF Southern Section semifinals in 2013, thereby achieving the best team run in over a decade.

Certifications

  • Completed case studies and 10 modules within the scope of International Administration, Marketing, Events, Facilities, the Eligibility and Transfer of Players, and the Development of National Federations. Program curriculum developed and administered through FIBA and the World Academy of Sport. Successfully passed the comprehensive written exam for certification.

  • Completed eight modules consisting of Player Development, Essential Components of the Game, The Mental Side, On Court Training Skills, Drill Sequencing, Perfomance Training, Periodization, and Nutrition. Program curriculum developed and administered by one of the most sought after player development specialist in American basketball, Joe Abunassar. Joe directs the biggest offseason NBA player camps in the world. Successfully passed the comprehensive exam for certification.

  • Completed Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Level Certification. Spent time personally learning from and training with one of the premier basketball skill coaches in the world, Ganon Baker. Program curriculum developed and administered by Ganon Baker. Completed and successfully passed the comprehensive written exam for certification.

  • Through resources and training developed and administered by USA Basketball, the coaches licensing program helps to educate coaches while also ensuring the safety of those the coach works with. Program courses and a background check were completed successfully for certification.

Social Responsibility

Program Objective: Act in a manner that contributes to the advancement of society.

This objective can be achieved by building and maintaining positive relationships with all program stakeholders. Under my direction, student-athletes will cultivate lasting and meaningful relationships with campus and surrounding Santa Cruz communities through the advocacy of social equality and servant leadership.

My belief in “serving and learning” will drive our program’s purpose through a desire to act socially responsible. By putting the needs of others before their own through volunteer work, student athletes will touch the lives of many and develop the necessary skills to become lifelong servant leaders. Additionally, by working with and learning from others from various cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, student-athletes will learn the importance of diversity, inclusion, and the interconnectedness of world cultures which will provide them with the appropriate experiences and skills needed to become ethical leaders in society. Through these methods, student-athletes will achieve deeper levels of self-discovery and increase their investment in the men’s basketball program, their collegiate experience, and campus and local communities.

Supported Causes

“Faith Food Fridays”: In an effort to support hunger relief, the men’s basketball team partnered with Faith Food Fridays by volunteering to fill and distribute food boxes to the families and individuals in need within the Vallejo, California community. Additionally, players and coaches worked together to clean, organize, and paint storage areas within the facility. Other tasks also included discarding waste from compost bins and conducting general maintenance to the grounds and outdoor storage areas located behind the facility.

“Guard Against Cancer” Game: Promoted the fight against childhood cancer by honoring a local child, Kenneth Sims. Created logos and designed T-shirts that were handed out to those attending the game. Coordinated pre-game events which included honoring Kenneth by providing him the opportunity to share his story, receive prayer, and sit on the bench during the game as an honorary member of the team.

Champions of Character Education: Visited St. Basil’s School in Vallejo, California to educate kindergarten through eighth grade students about the NAIA’s Champions of Charter and the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. Players spoke about the importance of academic success and how it plays a role in the recruitment process for collegiate athletics. Players and coaches concluded the event by playing a friendly game against the sixth, seventh, and eight grade boys’ and girls’ basketball team members.

Pacific Union College Men’s Basketball Alumni Game: Contacted previous members of the PUC men’s basketball team to generate interest in participating in the alumni basketball game. Worked with the Golden State Warriors to provide autographed items, T-shirts, and game tickets to be used during the silent auction to raise money for the athletic department.

Community Assistance Program: Members of the men’s basketball team helped move furniture for both the elderly and new members of the Angwin community. Team members also discarded unwanted or unused furniture for local community members. Additionally, players helped move freshman students into their dorms as they arrived on campus for their first quarter.

Social Activism: Conducted a meeting so players could share their experiences and perspectives with the president of the college to ensure support while remaining respectful of the institution’s values. Pre-game efforts promoting equity and equality generated campus–and conference-wide awareness while also spearheading the NAIA’s decision to move the location of the National Tournament to protect the right to free speech and create a more inclusive experience for student-athletes.

Ideas for Future Service works

Partner with local elementary schools to increase adolescent literacy

Work with local organizations to provide food and services to the less fortunate

Spread good cheer to local assisted living homes during the holiday season


Actions and events to help strengthen on campus relationships:

  • Host Movie Nights in the Gym

  • Have every team member introduce coach to one of their professors before the start of class

  • Feature campus clubs and departments as “sponsors” during home games

  • Encourage players to become active members of clubs on campus

  • Have team members hand out game day flyers and announcements to faculty, staff, and peers

  • Hold “Open Practice” sessions for campus members to meet players and watch scrimmages

  • Attend and assist with sporting events to support the other teams in athletics

What They’re Saying: Coaching

  • "Greg is an amazing coach, mentor, father, and one of the most solid human beings I know. I've experienced first hand his industrious work ethic on and off the court; whether he's out recruiting to watching him run a practice filled with great energy and positivity. One of the biggest takeaways I've had the joy of witnessing is the relationship he builds with the players he coaches and recruits. He's one of those special coaches out there that truly cares about his players and making a positive impact on their lives."

    Scott Thom
    Athletic Performance Coach, Minnesota Timberwolves

  • “Coach Rahn’s competitive spirit is direct reflection of his basketball program each season. His ability to recruit high-level talent and teach them how to play together collectively has proven he is a special college basketball coach. His team always represent the University and the local community with sportsmanship at the highest level. I am confident in his ability to successfully lead any basketball program and give him my highest recommendation.”

    Steve Kinder
    Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, University of Hawai’i Hilo

  • “Greg is a go-getter. In the six years that I have known and competed against Greg’s team, he has proven to be one of the hardest working coaches I have been around and has become a friend and person I communicate with often. His teams are always prepared for the task at-hand. What he has done with what he has had is tremendous and he will be an asset to any University or program that chooses to welcome him.”

    Eric Fundalewicz
    Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (AZ)

What They’re Saying: Players

  • “One word to describe Coach Greg Rahn as a person is altruistic. He is one of the most caring people I know and that says a lot about a college basketball coach. Even if he didn’t completely agree, he always supported his players decisions as long as it did not cause harm to anyone or the institution. His integrity guided me to not just want to become a better player but a man with high character. He was fully invested in our team by flooding us with energy and confidence every day. I think one of the biggest things that made me respect Coach Greg as a man, is the level of accountability he has for himself. Almost always, when teams lose, coaches only talk about how the team played but never speak to how they coached or managed the game. Coach Greg was never afraid to address his mistakes along with helping us correct our own.”

    Rae Hubbard
    Former Player and Cal Pac Champion, Pacific Union College, 2016-2018

  • “Respect, passion, and love is what you get from Coach Greg Rahn. Every time that man walks through the gym doors, there is a type of energy he brings that is contagious and uplifting. From my experiences, it's very rare to feel loved by your college coach and I believe there are way too many mediocre, unloving, uncaring, and quite frankly, unqualified guys that have coaching positions who play a big role in the lives of young men who look just like me. As a young black male, especially in the times we are living in today, it's hard to genuinely put your trust in a white male without feeling like you are not understood. However, when I came to PUC, Coach Greg made me feel not only understood, but important in a sense of belonging in a place where nobody else looked like me, except for my teammates. It truly is about much more than basketball for Coach Greg as he stresses the importance of graduation, learns about your culture and where you are from, asks how the family is doing, and checks in on your mental health to be sure you are ok. It's been a blessing to play for Coach Greg and learn from him daily. Although my days as a collegiate basketball player are over, we still talk faithfully. Men like him don't come around often, so if you are reading this, know you have found an angel!”

    Marc Williams
    Former Player and Cal Pac Honorable Mention (2020), Pacific Union College, 2018-2020

What They’re Saying: Administrators

  • "When Assistant Coach Greg Rahn was hired to replace his predecessor as Head Coach at Pacific Union College, it was immediately apparent to me that this determined young man had the talent, grit and leadership skills to take the PUC Men's Basketball Team to the next level of excellence all the way to the NAIA California Pacific Conference Championship. Amazingly, Coach Rahn accomplished this daunting task within just 3 years. More than just a talented and strategic coach, however, Coach Rahn genuinely cared for each of his student-athletes physically, emotionally and spiritually, and the young men under his care were inspired by his authenticity and relationship building skills. After seeing first hand his tough work ethic, his basketball intelligence and, most of all, his exemplary character as his supervisor for 3 years, I am delighted to give Coach Greg Rahn my highest recommendation, and I know that he will make a valuable contribution to any Athletic Program fortunate enough to acquire his talent and skills."

    Dr. Heather J. Knight
    President Emerita, Pacific Union College

  • “I’ve had the privilege of working with Coach Greg Rahn during my two-year tenure as Faculty Athletic Representative for Pacific Union College. I’ve also worked with him as a general advocate for our student athletes. I was impressed with Greg’s commitment to his players and to his profession. He was always positive yet tenacious in his coaching approach. His players respected him as a coach and a person. They commented to me that he really cares for them and is invested in their success. I noticed the amazing rapport he built with his team, always inspiring them to be ethical, hardworking and collaborative. Greg took great care to ensure his players maintained eligibility and were keeping up with their studies. I worked with him many times to intervene with struggling student-athletes, and his commitment to his players was always evident. Greg demonstrates the very best in a professional. He has personal accountability, an incredibly strong work ethic, sound judgment, and personable collegiality. He has my highest recommendation.”

    Michelle Rai
    Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Inland Empire Health Plan