LEADERSHIP TEAM
COACHES & STAFF
Darnell Campbell
Director, Head Coach
Darnell Campbell, Director: Recently announced as the new head boys basketball coach at Laguna Blanca, Campbell initially came to Santa Barbara to oversee athletics and mental wellness at Riviera Ridge School. Since his arrival, he has also founded LevelUp, a local youth basketball program that “believe skills development coupled with character development are the keys for success for athletes that aspire to play at the next level.” Campbell has an impressive resume, as he has provided 1-on-1 player development for NBA stars such as Kyrie Irving, Kyle Korver, Al Jefferson and Jaime Jaquez), while also working with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers.
Cassandra Gordon
Assistant Director, Coach
Cassandra Gordon, Assistant Director: She is a household name along the Central Coast, as she starred at Santa Barbara High where she was team MVP and All-CIF. Her performance led her to being recruited by Georgetown University, where she played 28 games as a freshman and sophomore, becoming a starter during the second year. She would transfer before her junior year to Loyola Marymount University, where she finished her college career. Gordon has most recently played professionally in Italy before returning home to become a teaching assistant at Vieja Valley Elementary and an assistant coach with the Riviera Ridge girls basketball team. In high school, Gordon played in the EYBL on Diana Taurasi’s club team.
Eric Lee
Mentor, Strength and Conditioning
Eric Lee, Coach, Mentor, Strength and Conditioning: The co-owner of the popular Santa Barbara gym, The Void, Lee helps with both coaching of the LevelUp program, as well as strength and conditioning. Lee is a lifetime Southern California native, coming to Santa Barbara in 2006 and never looking back. The addition of the Soldiers chapter along the Central Coast is one that he always thought was needed, but not expected. “I’m still mind-blown every day that this is happening. I think it’s going to open more doors.”
Taylor Adnan
Coach, Advisor
Taylor Adnan, Coach and Advisor: Recently announced as the new boys basketball coach at Laguna Blanca Middle School as well as a San Marcos High grad and Central Coast native, Adnan is also the CEO of Rad Sourcing, a U.S.-based boutique manufacturing firm located in Santa Barbara. “I wanted to be involved with the grassroots nature of what is going on with the organization, as we can provide opportunities where maybe the athlete and their families couldn’t otherwise afford the time and expense of the commitment. With this new venture, we find ways to include everyone.”
Cole Anderson
Coach, Advisor
Cole Anderson, Coach and Advisor: Coach Cole grew up in Fresno, California, alongside his two older sisters, who both played Division I basketball. He starred at Clovis West High School, becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer and finishing second in California’s Central Section history with 2,730 career points. He also ranked third in state history with 464 made threes and earned First Team All-State honors in 2021. He received 12 Division I offers before ultimately committing to UC Santa Barbara. At UCSB, Anderson played four years without transferring, appearing in 127 of 128 games and making 67 starts. He excelled both on the court and in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big West honors in his sophomore through senior seasons, and being named UCSB Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2025. A consistently elite shooter, he hit over 40% from three in all four seasons and finished third in the nation in three-point percentage in 2024-25, shooting 47.4% on 76 made threes. He earned All-Big West Honorable Mention that same season. Anderson chose to remain at UCSB for his entire college career out of loyalty to the program and community, the value of the UCSB degree, and the lifelong relationships he built throughout the Santa Barbara area.