El Capitan and Golden Valley High Schools Appoint New Boys’ Basketball Coaches
El Capitan High School girls basketball coach Tyler Dietz was seen passionately guiding his team during their 58-44 win over Merced on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
Dietz and August Tangaan share a long basketball history, having played AAU ball together since the second grade and later facing off in high school. Now, both are stepping into new roles as head coaches of the boys basketball programs at their former schools.
Dietz has been named the new boys basketball coach at El Capitan, replacing Adrian Hurtado, who stepped down to become an associate principal. Hurtado recently led the Gauchos to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III title game.
Tangaan, meanwhile, becomes only the third head coach in Golden Valley High School’s history since it opened in 1994. He follows longtime coaches Keith Hunter and Derrick Jacobs, who resigned after the recent season.
At just 25, Dietz transitions from coaching the girls team, where he compiled an 86-28 record over four seasons and led the Gauchos to their first co-Central California Conference title this year. The decision was bittersweet, especially with his younger sister Madysen entering her senior year and most of the team returning.
“My sister was a big reason I took on the girls coaching role,” Dietz shared. “She had a strong junior year, and we just won our first league title. I’ve coached many of those girls since they were young through AAU. But when this opportunity came, I couldn’t turn it down—it was the only job I would have left for.”
Tangaan, 24, is now leading the same program he once played for. A 2018 graduate of Golden Valley, he spent the past three years as an assistant under Jacobs and helped secure a co-CCC title.
“I wanted to ensure the program stayed in good hands,” Tangaan said. “I never envisioned this path for myself five years ago, but I believe the players need someone relatable, energetic, and with strong leadership—and I believe I can be that person.”
He’s already started preparing with the team for the upcoming season.
“We got back to work just two weeks after our season ended against Jesuit,” he said. “I’m pumped and ready to get started.”