Shawna Nunes will serve as a volunteer coach on the Stanislaus State men’s basketball team this winter.

“I didn’t want to sit around at home,” said Nunes, who retired as Ceres High’s athletic director following the 2018-19 school year. “This gives me a purpose. I’ll get to do something I love to do. I enjoy coaching and volunteering. I’m excited.”

Nunes was hired on July 17.

“She’ll be a great addition to my staff,” Stanislaus State head coach Paul Trevor said. “She has a strong background in basketball. She was very successful. She’s fundamental and disciplined. Those are helpful things to a program.”

“If you can coach and lead, it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman,” he added. “My athletes will welcome her.”

Nunes brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Stanislaus State.

She had a successful 18-year stint as head coach of Ceres High’s varsity girls basketball program.

Under Nunes’ guidance, the Bulldogs compiled a 364-143 record, captured one section championship, claimed six league titles, secured 15 playoff berths, won at least 20 games 10 times and surpassed the 30-win mark twice.

She retired in 2011.

“I just want to get back to the teaching part of the game,” she said. “I’ll be a volunteer, a grunt person. I’m not getting paid. I won’t be sitting on the bench at games. I’m going to help out at practice whenever my daughter (Callie) isn’t playing softball. I don’t have to stress out about making decisions. I’m going to be a behind-the-scenes person. It will be fun.”

“She is very knowledgeable,” Trevor said. “I can bounce ideas off her.”

Trevor offered Nunes an open invitation to join his coaching staff while they talked at a Stanislaus State fundraiser last fall.

“We had a conversation there,” she said. “He’s passionate and energetic. He’s a lot like me.”

“His comment was when Callie’s done playing, I want you in our program,” Nunes added. “I was flattered.”

“I’ve gotten to know Shawna the last couple of years,” Trevor said. “She’s a strong leader. She’s extremely honest. We’re both pretty intense.”

Stanislaus State compiled a 12-14 overall record and placed seventh in the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings (9-13) during the 2018-19 season.

“I just want to get back to the teaching part of the game,” she said. “I’ll be a volunteer, a grunt person. I’m not getting paid. I won’t be sitting on the bench at games. I’m going to help out at practice whenever my daughter (Callie) isn’t playing softball. I don’t have to stress out about making decisions. I’m going to be a behind-the-scenes person. It will be fun.”

“She is very knowledgeable,” Trevor said. “I can bounce ideas off her.”

Trevor offered Nunes an open invitation to join his coaching staff while they talked at a Stanislaus State fundraiser last fall.

“We had a conversation there,” she said. “He’s passionate and energetic. He’s a lot like me.”

“His comment was when Callie’s done playing, I want you in our program,” Nunes added. “I was flattered.”

“I’ve gotten to know Shawna the last couple of years,” Trevor said. “She’s a strong leader. She’s extremely honest. We’re both pretty intense.”

Stanislaus State compiled a 12-14 overall record and placed seventh in the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings (9-13) during the 2018-19 season.