Darren Jackson announced his resignation as head coach of the Pajaro Valley High girls basketball team shortly after the squad captured the Pacific Coast Athletic League Cypress Division crown in his inaugural season, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead the program.
A Sudden Departure
In a brief statement, Jackson said personal considerations prompted his exit and he thanked the school community for the trust placed in him.
A Coaching Legacy
Jackson’s career includes a 24‑year stint at North Salinas, where he compiled 469 wins and captured three Central Coast Section championships, establishing him as one of the region’s most successful coaches.
Challenges on the Court
When he arrived at Pajaro Valley, the program was dealing with declining participation; the roster shrank from 15 players at the start of the season to just eight by its conclusion.
Despite the attrition, the Grizzlies finished the year with a 16‑8 overall record and shared the league championship with Pacific Collegiate, marking the program’s second league title in its history.
Joe Manfre, the school’s athletic director, highlighted the obstacles Jackson faced and praised the coach’s resilience in a season that tested the program’s depth.
A New Chapter
Jackson has now taken on a new role as the head coach of the girls basketball program at Carmel High, where he hopes to rebuild a team that has not posted a winning season in seven years.
His move underscores a broader trend of experienced coaches seeking fresh challenges while leaving behind legacies that have already reshaped local high school basketball.