Coach Pablo Mendoza Joins Maranatha as the Newest Head Girls' Basketball Coach

Maranatha High School and Director of Athletics, Alicia Vessey ’08, announce the hiring of new Head Girls Basketball Coach, Pablo Mendoza. Coach Mendoza joins the Lady Minutemen bringing a diverse background in player development, managing teams, and professionalism after his role as the Whittier Christian Boys’ JV Basketball Head Coach.

“We look forward to Coach Pablo taking over our girls' basketball program and are excited to see his vision of growth play out. He brings a rich variety of basketball experience that will serve our student-athletes well. We are confident he will lead our program in the continued pursuit of excellence for the glory of God as our students grow spiritually, athletically, and personally.”

Most recently, Mendoza served as Boys Junior Varsity Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach at Whittier Christian High School while simultaneously coaching with Troop West’s Elite Girls program. At Troop West, Coach Mendoza contributed to multiple 25-win seasons, highlighted by a 41–9 campaign and the development of players who advanced to compete collegiately. He also contributed to a 26–3 season, league championship, and CIF playoff appearance during his tenure with Los Altos High School. 

Basketball has been central to Mendoza’s life from an early age. A lifelong basketball enthusiast and devoted Los Angeles Lakers fan, Coach Mendoza credits his favorite athlete, Kobe Bryant, as a major influence on his coaching philosophy.

“His work ethic and pursuit of excellence have heavily influenced the way I coach,” Mendoza shared. “What continues to draw me to this game is not just the competition, but the relationships, teamwork, and opportunity to help shape character, leadership, discipline, and confidence in young athletes,” Mendoza said. “Basketball is more than a sport to me. It is a platform to impact lives.” 

As a player, Mendoza competed in travel basketball throughout his youth, capturing a state championship with his club team in eighth grade before continuing his playing career at Santa Fe High School and Santa Ana College. While his playing journey shaped him, Mendoza quickly realized coaching was his true calling.

Reflecting on his most recent experiences, Coach Mendoza emphasized, “Watching young athletes develop as players, teammates, and leaders has been incredibly rewarding,” Mendoza shared. “These experiences have strengthened my passion for developing student-athletes and continually reminded me why this work matters so much.”

When asked about his opportunity at Maranatha, Coach Mendoza reflected on the impact he hopes to make during his tenure. “What excites me most about becoming the next Head Girls Basketball Coach at Maranatha is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with players, staff, families, and the entire Maranatha community. Basketball is the platform, but the greater mission is developing young women of character, faith, resilience, and purpose. We are going to build a culture rooted in accountability, love, toughness, unity, and belief in one another. My goal is to help every athlete grow not only as a basketball player, but as a leader, teammate, student, and person of faith. I truly believe we are going to build something special here, and it will all be for the glory of God.”

Outside of coaching, Mendoza enjoys spending time with family, running with his children, reading, training with kettlebells, and fishing when he has the opportunity. Faith, family, and basketball remain foundational pillars in his life.

“I believe the Lord has prepared me for this moment,” Mendoza shared. “Every lesson, challenge, relationship, and victory has shaped me into the coach and leader I am today. Beyond wins and accolades, my greatest passion is investing in people. Every athlete who walks through our gym doors will be valued, challenged, loved, and coached with purpose.”

1 Corinthians 16:13–14

“Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”

To our student-athletes:
“Greatness is never built in the spotlight. It is built when nobody is watching — in the early mornings, late nights, and extra work nobody asked you to do. Champions are built through discipline, sacrifice, toughness, and faith. Compete with passion. Trust your teammates. Honor God in everything you do.”

To the Maranatha community:
“I am honored to be part of this family and cannot wait to get to work. Together, we will build something special while pursuing excellence for the glory of God.”

Coach Mendoza and the Lady Minutemen will begin preparations for the 2026–27 Fall  season this upcoming Summer