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- Year:
- 1976-2000
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- Sports Played:
- Men's Basketball Coach; Men's Tennis Coach
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- Induction Year:
- 2010
Bio
With a lifetime of basketball memories, both as a player and as a coach, Tandy Gillis not only produced solid programs year in and year out, he helped guide the Pirates all the way to the top of the mountain, winning the school’s lone state title in men’s hoops in 1979. After several productive seasons coaching basketball at Cathedral High School, Verdun France, and Corona del Mar High School, Tandy came to Orange Coast in 1976 as the head basketball coach and physical education instructor. In 16 seasons as head coach, Tandy compiled a 244–228 record. His 244 wins are still tops among all OCC men’s basketball coaches in school history. He’s best known in the community college basketball world for guiding the 1978–1979 team to a 27–5 record and the state championship. That season, led by players like Paul Akin, Ray Orgill, Pete Newmann, Brian McCormick, Gary Willis and future Olympic volleyball standout Steve Timmons, the 1979 Pirates exceeded all expectations. Picked by many to finish third in the South Coast Conference, Coast ripped off 23 regular season victories en route to the SCC title. With wins over Riverside, American River and L.A. Southwest, the Pirates captured the crown by beating Saddleback, 75–67 in overtime.
Following the 1992 season, Tandy coached the men’s tennis team for eight seasons as well as joining Irvine Valley College as an assistant coach, where he’s been since 1994. As a player, Tandy attended the University of California, where he played for legendary coach Pete Newell. He helped the Golden Bears win the 1959 NCAA Championship and helped guide Cal to a return trip to the title game before falling to Ohio State for the national title. Tandy is a member of the California Community College Hall of Fame as well as the Daily Pilot Sports Hall of Fame.
