MVC tabs successful Al Toney as boys basketball coach

Al Toney, 64, who has trained some of the biggest talents in basketball, has been tabbed as Monte Vista Christian School’s boys coach. (Contributed)

WATSONVILLE — Highly successful high school basketball coach Al Toney, 64, who has guided five schools to section championships and trained some of the biggest names in the sport, has been tabbed as Monte Vista Christian School’s boys coach.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” said Toney, a San Jose resident, of his new role.

Over his 30-year career, Toney has amassed more than 400 wins as a varsity boys coach. He has also coached AAU ball, at camps, and provided personal training. An Oakland native, he has mentored some of the top players in the Bay Area and beyond, including Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Isaiah Thomas, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Poole, and Harrison Barnes, as well as Hailey Jones, Cameron Brink and Jennifer Azzi.

“Coach Toney brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success,” said Matt Coleman, MVC’s athletics director, in a release. “His enthusiasm is contagious, and his commitment to fostering a collaborative environment is inspiring. Coach Toney has had the privilege of working with elite basketball players, and his ability to develop talent, at any level, will significantly enhance our program.”

Toney last coached at Venture Academy from 2016-19. He retired from teaching middle school physical education after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

He has coached at nearly a dozen high schools and won North Coast Section titles with Emery (1993) and St. Elizabeth (’96), and Sac-Joaquin Section titles with Kennedy (2001), Elk Grove (’03), and Venture Academy (’18).

Toney replaces Abrem Estorga at the helm. The Mustangs are coming off an 18-8 campaign, which featured a runner-up finish in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Cypress Division and a berth into the Central Coast Section Division IV playoffs.

MVC graduated three of its top four scorers, Bryce Brogan, Jack Ryan, and Angel Martinez, but is expected to return five players, including guards Nico Downie and Matteo Vidal.

“They’re all nice kids,” Toney said. “It’s a matter of pulling something out of them. We’re going to take our time and be fundamentally sound. They’ll play with togetherness and we’ll create some toughness. Our guys will sacrifice for one another, so we’ll find success. It’s gotta grow organically.”

Above all, he wants his team to play selfless, cerebral basketball. He said players who focus on details and the intricacies of the game make the jump from good to great.

Toney said he reached out to his coaching friends in the area to learn more about MVC. He was impressed with Coleman, the school, and its facilities.

“I was drawn to the potential of the overall situation,” Toney said. “It can be a super, great job.”

Toney, a 1978 Moreau Catholic High alum, competed in track at San Diego State, and walked on to the Aztecs’ baseball and basketball programs. He was teammates with Tony Gwynn and Eddy Gordon, whose sons Aaron and Drew became basketball stars, on the hardwood.

Toney and his wife, Noriko, have a 30-year-old son, Arieas.