Merced College names former Merced High, Fresno State star as new men’s basketball coach
Allen Huddleston Jr. grew up in the Merced College gym. He learned how to play basketball on Don Reid Court.
For a gym rat like Huddleston that meant hundreds of hours spent working out. Some of his earliest memories were going to the gym after school at Peterson Elementary or Cruickshank Middle School and playing some of the Merced College men’s basketball players one on one.
So it was a special moment when Huddleston, 30, got the call that he would be Merced College’s new men’s basketball coach. Huddleston takes over after longtime coach Bill Russell, who retired after the 2019-20 season.
“It means everything to me,” said Huddleston. “I’ve known coach (Don) Reid and coach Russell since I was a kid. Those two are pretty much Merced College basketball. That’s the gym I grew up in and now I’m in a unique position to follow coach Russell.”
Huddleston will share an office at Merced College with his father Allen Huddleston Sr., who is the MC women’s basketball coach.
Merced roots
Huddleston grew up in Merced with his dad coaching the women’s team. He graduated from Merced High in 2009 where he earned a basketball scholarship to the University of the Pacific. He later transferred to Fresno State.
“Growing up, I was fortunate because I always had access to a gym,” Huddleston said. “That’s where I learned to play basketball. That’s where I learned how to compete. Now I hope to take that platform I have of playing at the collegiate level, a person with professional contacts and bring that back to Merced and hopefully younger players in some shape or form.”
Huddleston assisted his father with the women’s team during the 2018-19 season and assisted Russell in 2019-20.
Huddleston brought a lot of the same workouts and drills he went through at Fresno State and it helped the Merced College women’s team reached the state title game in 2019.
“We went from being unranked to playing for a state championship with seven players,” Huddleston Jr. said. “My dad said, ‘I think you might be good at this.’”
Huddleston received his masters degree through Grand Canyon University and will teach psychology and health classes at Merced College.
“He really has a passion for the sport and he makes a real investment in players,” said Merced College president Chris Vitelli. “He’s not only concerned about his players growth on the court but off the court as well. He’s played successfully at the collegiate level and he’ll bring his passion and experience to Merced College.”
Replacing an icon
In Russell, Huddleston replaces a coach who coached in almost 1,000 games at Merced College.
Russell coached 31 years for the Blue Devils, compiling a 429-551 record. He led the Blue Devils to 13 playoff appearances, one Final Four appearance and four trips to the Sweet 16.
“He’s done so much for Merced College,” Huddleston Jr. said. “Anytime you think of Merced College men’s basketball he’s the first person you think of. I’m going to try to build on the foundation he set, which includes making sure guys go to class and making sure they are prompt. It’s an honor to follow coach Russell. He was one of the first calls I made when I heard I got the job and he told me he was happy for me.”
