Craig Pazanti - Varsity

Coach Pazanti is currently serving as head coach for both the boy's and girls' teams. He is an HBHS alumnus and teaches science here at his alma mater. Craig became head coach at HBHS in 2009. 

Over the last eleven years, Huntington Beach has captured six league championships and has five appearances in the CIF finals, won two CIF championship titles, two state championships, and the national championship for 2014.  

The state and national championships were the first ever for HBHS. He was named OC Register Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2013 for his success coaching at HBHS. Coach Pazanti coached the Oiler volleyball team through 121 consecutive wins, which is a USA national record.

After playing both volleyball and basketball at Huntington Beach High School, Craig began his coaching career at Huntington Beach in 1991, where he served as an assistant coach until 1996. As an assistant coach for both the boys and girls volleyball programs, Craig was a part of three CIF championships, one state championship, and one CIF runner-up.

In 1997, Craig began his college coaching career at Baylor University. At Baylor, Craig’s primary duties included the evaluation of prospective student-athletes, match preparation, and the training of athletes on a day-to-day basis. Over the next two seasons, Baylor went from last place in the Southwest conferences to an NCAA playoff bid as a member of the newly formed Big 12 Conference.

Upon returning to California, Craig became the head volleyball coach at Mater Dei High school from 1999-2004. During this five-year period, Craig earned five league championships, five CIF final appearances, and three consecutive CIF championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003. The three CIF championships were the first volleyball titles for Mater Dei in school history, and remain the only girls’ volleyball championships for Mater Dei to date. 

For his efforts, Craig was named 1999 Orange County Volleyball Coach of the Year, 2002 CIF Coach of the Year, and 2004 California State High School Coach of the Year by Cal HI Sports. 

Coach Pazanti is also currently a coach for Pinnacle Athletic Club.