Meet Jermaine Emanuel PCCC’s Coach of the Year

Last October, Jermaine Emanuel took over as head coach of PCCC’s Women’s Basketball team. Just six months later, he was honored as the Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Coach of the Year.

“I knew this team could win a championship, said the coach. “I’m really proud of them.” As for being named Coach of the Year, “It’s great, but still feels a little surreal.”

The Lady Panthers clinched the GSAC crown before playing Atlantic Cape in the semifinals of the Region 19 tournament, beating Atlantic Cape 83-67 before coming up short in the dinal championship game against Rowan College South Jersey- Gloucester at Northampton February 28^th.

Coach E, as he is known on campus, came on board somewhat late in the term but found a willing and hungry team. “Everything just took off from there. The women played really well as a team, and we had a strong season.” 

A devoted Knicks fan, Coach E was born in New Jersey to an athletic family where both of his parents and his siblings were all into sports.  Young Jermaine started playing basketball at age six and showed a remarkable gift for the sport.

At Laney High School in North Carolina, he made first team and received all-conference, all-district, and all-state honorable mentions before going on to play for Mercer Community College where he helped the team to the region championship game.  

Continuing on to Ramapo College, Jermaine was seventh all-time assist leader, all-time in two years, and tallied 121 assists in one season.

Though he demonstrated the talent and experience to turn professional, the student-athlete faced what he calls “a crucial moment in my life” and decided to take a different path. “That was a really big decision, and I just felt like I needed a break from basketball.”

Jermaine earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Ramapo and entered the business world working in Risk Operations. “I liked my work, but after a while, I had a strong desire to get back into basketball.”

Despite his detour into the business world, the future coach always knew basketball was his true calling. “The game came naturally to me,” he explained. “From the beginning, I fell in love with it and excelled at it.”

He went on to coach for the Amateur Athletic Association (AAU) youth teams, traveling throughout New Jersey to offer basketball skills training to youth from elementary to high school ages. Then he learned about, and ultimately landed, his current position at PCCC.

“Jermaine stood out to us early on in the interview process and became the clear choice for us,” said PCCC Athletics Director Tiago Dos Santos. “I wanted someone who could come here and provide leadership, structure, and organization to the young women, and he clearly exhibited all those qualities.”

As for Coach E, he is not resting on his laurels.  “My main goal for next year is to take the team to the next level, regional championship, and then on to nationals. I really want the players to have that experience.”

With the women’s basketball season now at an end, and four of the current players graduating this May, Coach E will be busy recruiting new Lady Panthers for next year, and he has one significant requirement.  “I look for people who really value playing as a team and working hard.”

Written by Linda Telesco
Photos/Graphic Design by Page Saunders