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- Email:
- joey_Ramirez@vcccd.edu
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- Title:
- Assistant Coach
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- Phone:
- 805-289-6139
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- Years at VC:
- 12th Year
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- Associate's Degree:
- A.A., Ventura College, 1994
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- Bachelor's Degree:
- B.S., UC Riverside, 1996
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- Master's Degree:
- M.Ed., Azusa Pacific University, 2010
Bio
A 2019 Ventura College Hall of Fame inductee, Joey Ramirez returns to the Pirate bench as an assistant coach for the 2025-26 season. He was Ventura's head men's basketball coach for 11 seasons from 2011-2023 and spent the past two years as an assistant coach at Westmont University in Montecito. Ramirez prides himself on assembling a competitive and respectable basketball program, and his philosophy on discipline, hard-work and team unity have paid dividends as he has demonstrated as an athlete, coach and teacher. His high level of commitment and his outstanding leadership and communication skills assists him both on and off the court.
In 11 seasons as head coach, Ramirez fashioned an overall record of 216-111 (.661 winning pct.), including a strong 99-25 Western State Conference mark (.798). He has led the Pirates to eight WSC championships, including his last seven seasons (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 (there was no season in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)), with a pair of conference runner-up finishes. During Ramirez's tenure, the Pirates advanced to the state playoffs 10 times. As an assistant with the Pirates for two seasons, Ramirez helped rebuild the We Play Hard tradition as VC ended the 2010-11 season with the best record in the WSC North.
In the fall of 2009, Ramirez returned to Ventura College where he had a very productive playing career for coach Phil Mathews from 1992-94. As a team captain, Ramirez led his team to the State Championship Final Game both years and a No. 2 ranking in the country. He was awarded first team All-Western State Conference both years, Western State Conference Co-MVP in 1994, and first team All-State in 1994. Ramirez went on to start as a point guard at Pepperdine University. In 1995, Ramirez transferred to UC Riverside where he was team a captain and an All-CCAA Selection.
Ramirez' began developing his coaching skills at his alma mater, Santa Paula High School as he started as an assistant coach from 1997-2000 where he helped lead the Cardinals to its first league championship in over 20 years. In 2001, he was promoted to head coach for the girl's basketball team at SPHS. He led the Lady Cardinals to a Frontier League championship and won the first CIF playoff game in school history. He received Frontier League Coach of the Year honors that year. From 2002-2006, he was the Head Boys basketball coach at Santa Paula, and led his team to a second place finish in the Frontier League and CIF qualifiers in his last 2 years. In 2007, Ramirez left Santa Paula to join Oak Park as their assistant boys basketball coach and in 2008, he became the head boys basketball coach leading them to a Tri-Valley League Championship, CIF semi-finals appearance and to a second State Tournament appearance in the school's history. These accomplishments also earned a Coach of the Year award in 2008.
Ramirez is a native of Ventura County. He grew up in nearby Santa Paula. While graduating from Santa Paula High School in 1992 where he was an all-league three-sport athlete (basketball, baseball, and football).
Ramirez and his wife, Olivia, have three boys, Andrew, Marcos and Eric and they reside in Ventura.