Coach Herrick Goes for 500th Career Win at COC
Victory would come on five year anniversary of 400th win
When Greg Herrick leads the College of the Canyons women's basketball team into action on Friday, he will do so with an opportunity to enhance his already impressive resume simply by doing something his teams have already done 499 times.
With a win in the Cougars' road matchup vs. L.A. Trade Technical College on Friday, Herrick will earn his 500th victory as head coach at COC, reaching a milestone that most coaches dare not dream.
Wins, and the honors that come with them, have been plentiful during Herrick's 22 years at the helm of the COC basketball program.
Since taking the job prior to the 1992-93 season, his teams have been crowned Western State Conference (WSC) champs 14 times, earned 21 postseason berths and advanced to the state championship tourney five times.
During that span Herrick was been named WSC Coach of the Year Honors eight times.
He's had some help along the way, coming in the form of countless players, and a few dedicated assistant coaches who have been able to play a part in this impressive run.
Longtime COC assistant coach Harlan Perlman has been with Herrick every step of the way for the last 22 years. More recently current COC assistant coach, and former player, Linnae Barber joined the staff.
Herrick has also been ale to call upon the collective talents of 24 All-State Team players, nine WSC players of the year, and 35 student athletes who have transferred to play at four-year schools after starring at COC.
Armed with all those accolades, Herrick is still looking for more.
Entering the season with 495 wins, the Cougars are 4-2 on the young season having recently gone 2-1 at the Ventura College-Kiwanis Tournament held Nov. 28-30.
Even if the Cougars can't get Herrick the coveted 500th win on Friday, chances are the milestone will come soon afterward.
The Cougars will be participating in this weekend's Moorpark College tournament, with Friday's 7 p.m. game serving as the team's first round matchup. The team is also scheduled to play Saturday and Sunday.
Unfortunately, the 500th win postgame celebration is almost guaranteed to come on the road, with Canyons scheduled to play in road tournaments over the next three weekends.
COC won't play on its home court until opening the WSC schedule vs. Antelope Valley on Jan. 7.