Springer Officially Steps Down as Men's Basketball Coach, Skinner to Take Over
3/30/2022
Patrick Springer has officially stepped down as the men's basketball coach at Mt. San Jacinto College, long time assistant Trent Skinner has been named the program's new coach.
Springer, who took over the program prior to the 2003-04 season, will remain at the school as Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics. Springer spent 21 total seasons as a community college head coach 17 of them here at MSJC. In that time he amassed an overall record of 429-226, his Eagle teams went 359-165. During his career his teams reached the post season in 20 of his 21 seasons and qualified for the State Elite Eight on two separate occasions. In his time at MSJC the Eagles won five conference titles, including three in a row from 2014-2017. Under Springer's direction 36 players have moved on to NCAA Division I schools and dozens of others have earned scholarships to various Division II and NAIA schools.
"I want to thank our institution, in particular Dr. Roger Schultz and the various other administrators I have worked with over the past 19 years for the support they showed our program," said Springer. "This community is second to none in their support of our student-athletes as well, they have high expectations of our program, but are always there to help out however they can".
Skinner is a familiar face not only to MSJC, but to the California Community College basketball scene. He spent nine years as an assistant for the Eagles prior to being named the head coach at College of the Desert in 2018. In his first stint at MSJC, Skinner also served as the interim head coach during the 2014-15 season leading the Eagles to a 23-8 record, a conference title, and a spot in the Regional play-offs. In his two seasons as the head man at Desert his teams combined to post a record of 30-26. This past season he returned to MSJC as Springer's lead assistant. Coach Skinner was also listed as one of Silver Waves Media's Top 50 Impactful Coaches at the Community College level in 2021. Skinner will be just the third permanent coach of the Eagle program since 1971.
"Trent has demonstrated tremendous loyalty to the MSJC program and clearly has the experience to continue our tradition of excellence," added Springer. "I look forward to seeing his teams compete and have great confidence that the program is in good hands".
Skinner, who is already out on the recruiting trail for the 22-23 season is honored to have the opportunity; "I want to thank Coach Springer and the college for the chance to take over such a storied program," he said. "I look forward to continuing the program's success and can't wait to get going". "Winning and moving players on to the four year level will obviously remain our top priorities going forward, the support system both academically and athletically that Coach Springer has set in place are as good as any program in the state". Skinner also knows that the community support at MSJC is very strong. "I also look forward to continuing and building on the relationships throughout the community that have been built here over many years, we have many supporters who have had a great impact on our students."