Former Southwestern Coach to be Enshrined in CCCMBCA Hall of Fame

John Cosentino, head coach of Southwestern College for 30 years, has been selected for the California Community Colleges Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Cosentino coached at every level, beginning as a high school coach in 1970. In 1984, he helped the University of San Diego to its first conference championship and its first NCAA post-season appearance. Prior to Cosentino 's appointment to the Torero staff he was a successful varsity basketball, football and baseball coach at University High School in San Diego. He was also the freshman coach at United States International University and an assistant at University of San Francisco from 1984 to 1989.

He eventually became Southwestern's head coach in 1989. He was a member of the CCCMBCA for 30 years, serving as the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference's representative for a number of years. He concluded his career with a 569-324 record, winner of 11 conference championships and making the post season in 22 of his 30 years with the Jaguars. Twice, he led a Southwestern team to the state finals, and finished with a career post-record of 51-22. He was a nine-time conference coach of the year, and three times named the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for all sports. 

He coached nine conference players of the year, including his son, Anthony, who won the award twice. Over 20 of his former players earned Division I scholarships, while another 60 received various other levels of scholarship. Twenty players went on to play professional.

Prior to become a successful coach, Cosentino, a native of San Diego, was a stellar athlete, earning all-county honors in football and basketball. In his senior year he captained University High School to a California lntersholastic Federation basketball championship, earning player of the year honors. After lettering in football and basketball at San Diego Mesa College, Cosentino earned a scholarship to Adams State before transferring to San Diego State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and a minor in English from San Diego State in 1970. He also earned a master's degree in education from Azusa Pacific College.