Sierra High athletic director Anthony Chapman announced the hiring of Larissa Founts as the Timberwolves’ new head girls basketball coach on Monday.
She replaces Martha Spivey, who went 37-68 in four years at her alma mater.
“I am absolutely ecstatic to be chosen to coach varsity girls basketball at Sierra High School,” Founts said in a statement. “I believe that basketball is a tool to not only reach young women passionate about the sport, but also teach the importance of becoming a great student, athlete and most importantly a great citizen.
“Sierra is providing me with an amazing baseline to start this journey. I could not be more excited to begin the development of this program.”
Founts graduated from rival East Union in 2005, when the Lancers shared the Valley Oak League crown with Sierra. The Timberwolves haven’t won a league title since.
Founts went on to play at Modesto Junior College, where she helped the Pirates win 38 games in two years. She was a team captain her sophomore year. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Pacific and master’s from Grand Canyon University.
Founts returned to East Union to serve as a lower-level coach before she was named athletic director and varsity head coach at Excel Academy of Stockton. The Pumas went 33-8 in two seasons under Founts before the school merged with Venture Academy.
This past year, Founts served as an assistant under Mike Girardi at Modesto JC, where she is also an adjunct professor of physical education. She’ll teach P.E. at Sierra.
“Larissa is a fantastic addition to our athletic department,” Chapman stated. “We are confident that Larissa will not only build and develop strong students, but also strong athletes of character. Her attitude and vigor are infectious. She will no doubt inspire our young women to be the best they can be both on and off the court.”