Golden Valley announces three new head coaches added to the athletic department

With summer camps underway, the Golden Valley Grizzlies have made a change and hired a new softball coach, along with a new team of co-head coaches for the track and field program.

The new coach of the softball program is Alan Vanhook. He brings with him more than ten years of experience in softball.

“Coach Vanhook brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program, with an extensive background in the sports world,” a press release from Golden Valley said.

Vanhook is no stranger to the Foothill League, having coached at Golden Valley, West Ranch and Saugus in the past. Outside of the Foothill League, he coached for the Bownet travel softball team for a number of years.

In addition to his role as a coach, Vanhook has also given clinics, provided training and trained several Division 1 athletes over the past ten years.

Vanhook will become an assistant coach to Arizona State softball alumnus and Pac-12 Home Run champion Jordan Vanhook.

“Coach Vanhook and his staff are eager to take on the challenge and are committed to pushing boundaries and overcoming obstacles,” a Golden Valley press release said. “We look forward to a successful season under their leadership.”

Off the field and on the court, Golden Valley has taken steps to sign Megan Cooper and Jailyah Berkley as co-head coaches of the program.

Co-head coach Cooper has 11 years of experience in high school athletics, including playing for the Grizzlies.

Cooper owns and serves as the head coach of a club called the “Vault Off! Pole Vault Club.” Because it is difficult for programs to find pole vault coaches who are available year-round, she started the club to help pole vaulters with their off-season training. The club’s potential to introduce pole vaulting to younger athletes is another area of ​​optimism for her, so she will also be helping the pole vaulters.

During her time with the Grizzlies, she coached the team to a CIF D 2 championship in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023.

“For Coach Megan, it’s not just about winning, it’s about helping athletes realize their own personal strengths and how to reach their maximum potential, and teaching them life lessons that extend beyond the court,” the press release said.

This urge to coach stems from her time as a student-athlete at Golden Valley.

Unlike Cooper, Berkley, 23, is only entering her third year as coach, making her one of the youngest coaches in the Foothill League. Although she is new to coaching, she has more than 17 years of experience in track and field, including running track at Valencia High School.

During Jaliyah’s time as a Valencia student, she broke many school records and was an individual 2x Foothill League champion in her junior and senior years. She then joined the track and field team at Northern Arizona University while pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. After earning her degree, Jaliyah returned home and transitioned from athlete to coach.

She hopes that this new role will bring new energy and a positive attitude to the program.

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