Coach Steve Coccimiglio and Diablo Valley College, 2010-2011 version

Since 1990, fans have witnessed Steve Coccimiglio prowling the sidelines at Diablo Valley College and always winning more than losing whether it be with bigger lineups or small ball rosters. The 2010-2011 season looks particularly promising as the veteran mentor has some size to combine with his usual group of solid backcourters, making the Vikings both inside and outside threats offensively.

"I like our group," Coccimiglio said, "they are smart basketball players, easy to coach and get along well."

He added "we have a solid backcourt, especially with Brian Goins, Khufu Nagee is long and athletic, Raphael Carter can play inside/out and Zach Payne is effective down low."

Daiblo Valley was 17-13 last season, 18-12 the year before and a superlative 26-8 in the 2007-2008 Big 8 Conference go-around.

Here's Coccimiglio's talent, most of them local:

Brian Goins, 5-10, freshman

Selected as the Most Valuable Player of the July Las Positas Shootout, Goins didn't play organized basketball during high school. An Army brat of sorts, he was discovered playing city league hoops by one of Coccimiglio's former players, Rodney (Skyline High) Ponder, and recommended to the DVC staff. According to Coccimiglio, Goins is "very quick, has a great feel for the game" and learning the basketball concepts he missed out on during his prep years. Goins was residing in the Concord area when discovered.

Jordan Estrada, 6-foot-1, sophomore (De La Salle High)

Coccimiglio sees Estrada as "a combo guard who is a good leader, blue collar tough and a solid shooter."

Khufu Nagee, 6-foot-3, freshman (Berkeley High)

Having just committed to San Jose State (he was a qualifier coming out of high school), Nagee is described by Coccimiglio as "very coachable, with live legs and a great mid-range game."

Ronnie Baker, 6-foot-3, freshman (Rodriguez High)

"Ronnie will be a good freshman for us," Coccimiglio siad.

Zach Payne, 6-foot-7, sophomore (De La Salle High)

A returnee, Payne evaluates his big man as "well-coached, a very solid guy and a great leader on the team."

Lewis Lowe, 6-foot-8. (Vallejo High)

Back from college in Oklahoma, "he will be a good player for us," Coccimiglio said, adding, "Lewis has good hands and a big frame (235 pounds)."

Raphael Carter, 6-foot-8

Out of Columbus, Ohio, Coccimiglio offered "Carter has a great upside and he's a good shotblocker." Nevada showed some interest in Carter last year and that induced the young man to try his hand at hoops in the junior college ranks out here.


Coccimiglio has a pattern of especially getting his players to the Western Athletic Conference and Nagee is the latest example. Other Vikings who went on to the WAC:

* Mo Charlo, Eureka High - (Nevada), @ DVC 2002-04

*Demarshay Johnson, Oakland Tech - (Nevada), @ DVC 2003-05

* Marion Thurmond. Hayward High - (San Jose State), @ DVC 1998-2000

* Tyree Gardner, San Leandro High - (San Jose State), @ 2002-03

* Mac Peterson, Deer Valley High - (San Jose State), @ DVC 2006-07