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Sports - High Schools - All Bee Teams section

Coach of the Year: Terry Giffen

Published online on Monday, Dec. 24, 2007

By Nick Giannandrea / The Fresno Bee
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School: Clovis

He's qualified because: Directed the Cougars to their first Central Section Division I title since 2001, capped by an 8-6 victory over rival Buchanan in the final. Clovis closed the season with 11 straight wins to finish 28-4, including a Tri-River Athletic Conference co-championship. The TRAC coach of the year also led the Cougars to titles at the Central California Championships, South Valley Polofest and Clovis West Invitational tournaments.

Defining moment: The Cougars beat Buchanan 2-1 in the semifinals and Clovis West 9-7 in the final of the Central California Championships, a sweep of Clovis Unified powerhouses that doesn't happen often. "They came away from the tournament believing, yes, we can be league champions and, yes, we can win Valley. I had been telling them that, but I don't think they believed me until we had success at that tournament," Giffen said.

Career highlights: In 29 seasons, Giffen has won eight section titles and 15 league championships. He won six section championships during his a 14-year stint as a coach at Hoover. Giffen also was the MVP of the first section water polo tournament as a player at Clovis in 1973.

The word: "I love the sport, and I think I'm good at it. I don't know if I know how to do anything else really well." -- Giffen.

Opposing take: "He convinces his guys that they are going to play together. He's tough, but he's always really good with his guys. He will tell them they are doing a great job and be straight up with them when they need to improve." -- Central coach Rick Klatt.


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