With incredibly successful coaching experience at the High School level, two wining JUCO programs and three universities (Division 2 and Division 1), Mitch Charlens has established himself as one of the premier coaches not only in California community college basketball, but also the nation.

After another conference championship and state elite eight appearance this past season, his Knights are ranked in the state Top 20 and No. 8 in Southern California heading into the 2024-25 season, continuing his legacy of excellence in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC). In his 18 seasons as head coach, Charlens has averaged almost 21 wins per season—an unmatched feat in the history of the PCAC.

Charlens returned to San Diego City College in 2022 after spending a year as an assistant coach with the University of San Diego men’s basketball team leading the defense and helping improve the program to 15 wins after winning only 3 games the year before Charlens’ addition to the staff.

During his first 16 seasons as head coach of the Knights, Charlens led the team to incredible heights, including back-to-back state championship game appearances in 2017 and 2018, with a state title in 2017. His teams have won eight PCAC championships (2005, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) and made multiple appearances in the CCCAA Elite Eight, including a historic Final Four run in 2009.

Charlens' 2016-17 team remains the most successful in school history. The Knights went undefeated in the PCAC South (10-0) for the second consecutive season, finishing the regular season on a 17-game winning streak that culminated in their first-ever CCCAA state championship. The following year, Charlens led the Knights to another state championship game appearance, with a school-record 33 wins and a 26-game win streak.

Individually, Charlens has coached numerous players who have gone on to achieve success at the next level. Malcolm Thomas from his 2008-9 team went was voted as the player of the year in the state and went on to play at San Diego State University and has played professionally for the last 15 years in the NBA and internationally. His 2017-18 team featured Robert McCoy, the CCCMBCA Southern California Player of the Year, and Darien McClain, who was named MVP of the state championship tournament. In total, Charlens has coached 10 All-State players and helped more than 10 of his former players go on to professional careers in the NBA, Europe, and other international leagues.

Charlens' leadership extends beyond the court. His teams have consistently excelled in the classroom, with a combined team GPA of 3.4 in 2017 and 3.5 in 2018. His commitment to player development, both on and off the court, has set the foundation for sustained success at San Diego City College.

A San Diego native, Charlens began his playing career at University City High School before continuing at Saddleback College and then San Francisco State University, where he was a standout player. After transitioning into coaching, he held positions at the high school (Lowell High School), college (College of the Sequoias) and university levels (SFSU, Chico State, USD) before returning to San Diego City College in 2004 to take over a program in need of a turnaround. In his first season, Charlens led the Knights to a 12-2 conference record and the Pacific Coast Conference Championship.

Charlens’ coaching accolades include eight PCAC Coach of the Year awards (2005, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2024), and he was named the CCCAA State Coach of the Year in 2009. Under his leadership, the Knights have become a perennial powerhouse in California community college basketball.

Now in his 18th season, Coach Charlens continues to build on his legacy, mentoring the next generation of student-athletes at San Diego City College. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University and a Master's degree in Physical Education from Chico State University. Charlens lives in San Diego with his wife, Dr. Erin Charlens, a professor and counselor at SDCC, and their children, Brandon, Jay, and Chloe.

Career Highlights:

· All-Time Wins Leader at San Diego City College (375)

· 2017 CCCAA State Champions (31-5)

· 2018 CCCAA State Runner-up (33-3)

· Back-to-Back State Finals Appearances (2017, 2018)

· 8-time Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Champions (2005, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2024)

· 8-time PCAC Coach of the Year

· 4-time Undefeated Conference Champions (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)

· 4-time CCCAA Elite Eight (2009, 2017, 2018)

· 2-time CCCAA Final Four (2017, 2018)

· 2017-2018 Preseason No. 1 Ranked Team in California

· 10 All-State Player Selections in 14 years

· 2009 CCCAA State Coach of the Year

Additional Notable Achievements:

· More than 15 former players have gone on to professional basketball careers (NBA, Europe, China, South America, Australia…)

· Record-setting team GPAs, including a 3.5 GPA in 2018

· Record number of full-ride scholarship transfers to four-year universities in the region