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Our staff

Two rules for coaching at Sol.

Know basketball, and be a good person. Every coach here played in high school or college, and every one of them has coached at the high school or college level. That is not a marketing line — it is the bar for getting hired.

Why it matters

A beginner and a college-bound junior get the same coach, the same practice plan and the same attention. We are the only club in San Diego with its own practice facility, which means our coaches see their players more often than most.

Leadership

Who runs the club.

Tony Allen

Tony Allen

Founder and CEO

Coach Allen is the foundation of our club. His philosophies and high standards keep all the staff striving to be their best. Coach Allen was the coach of the original San Diego Sol women’s basketball team which compiled a record of 28-3 in the 1997-98 season, including a re-match win against the Chinese Jr. National Team.

More about Tony

This Sol team was also the 1997 NWBL Regional Champion and National Runner Up. He has been a personal and sports fitness trainer and coach for over 35 years. His clients and teams have won numerous awards, titles and championships at every level from recreational to the professional.

Amy Cleveland

Amy Cleveland

Club President

Coach Cleveland is responsible for the daily operations of the club and directs all new major initiatives. Cleveland was an original member of the Sol women’s team. She played professionally in Germany for two seasons and was the conference’s 3rd leading scorer one of those seasons.

More about Amy

She set 21 individual records, including the career scoring record, season scoring record and game scoring record while playing at Claremont McKenna College. She earned Conference honors all 4 years as well as All-American Honors her senior season. Coach Cleveland was inducted into her college’s Hall of Fame.

Mark O'Connor

Mark O’Connor

Business Consultant

Mark O’Connor was a commercial real estate professional who for more than 30 years specialized in facility and site acquisition and disposition. His experience included real estate development and the marketing of improved and unimproved property for sale and for lease on behalf of local and national clients.

More about Mark

He was recognized as a top industrial sales producer. Involved in more than 300 real estate transactions, totaling more than 15 million square feet and more than 1,000 acres of land in excess of $150 million in consideration. Mark was passionate about youth sports, having a son who played club and high school basketball and a daughter who competed on the track and field team for Rancho Bernardo High School. Mark was integral in the acquisition of the new Sol facility in San Marcos. Mark passed away in 2020 after a long battle with cancer. He was a great friend, a compassionate and caring person and we truly miss him.

Coaching staff

The people in the gym.

Eight coaches across Little Hoopers, youth teams, high school, camps and skills classes.

Teshona Bennett

Teshona Bennett

Coach

Originally from Wisconsin, Coach Bennett brings an immense amount of knowledge and experience in coaching at both the high school and college level. She coached at San Diego Christian College,Beloit College, Santa Fe Christian High SChool.

More about Teshona

Most recently was the Head Coach at Del Norte High school were she led the team to two Open division appearances and 43 wins 2 seasons. In June of 2024, Coach Bennett was named Associate Head Coach for Southwestern College, in Chula Vista CA. She earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Coaching along with a Master’s of Education degree in Athletic Administration. Her daughter, Nissi (11) who attended her first basketball camp at Sol, made her first basket in the Sol gym when she was (5).

Deshawn Bradshaw

Deshawn Bradshaw

Coach

Coach Bradshaw is a San Diego Sol Alumni who started with the club in 8th grade, participating in Skills and Conditioning classes. He played for Sol throughout high school on Freshman, JV, and Varsity teams.

More about Deshawn

He began coaching as a high school freshman, volunteering as an assistant basketball coach for various elementary and middle school programs. He later became the head coach for both boys and girls basketball teams at CHA school, leading the Middle School Girls team to their first Championship Title. Coach Bradshaw also serves as the Physical Education Assistant Coach for grades 6 to 8 at the school. Known for his defense-oriented coaching style, he emphasizes hard work and improvement. He holds an associate degree in Administration of Justice from San Diego Miramar College and is transferring to California State University San Marcos to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Justice Studies.

Dwayne Cosby

Dwayne Cosby

Coach

Coach Cosby brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in college basketball. His coaching journey began at his alma mater, Riverside City College, and since then, he has built an impressive resume with stints at La Sierra University, Cal Baptist, Point Loma Nazarene (Women’s), San Diego Christian, and currently, MiraCosta College.

More about Dwayne

Throughout his career, Coach Cosby has excelled in every role he has taken on. He has been a Lead Assistant at La Sierra, San Diego Christian College, and Point Loma Nazarene. His strategic mind has made him an exceptional Recruiting Coordinator at Cal Baptist, Point Loma, and San Diego Christian, and a formidable Defensive Coordinator at MiraCosta. Notably, he also served as the Head Coach at San Diego Christian College. Originally from Riverside, Coach Cosby now proudly calls San Diego his home. He is eager to bring his expertise and passion to San Diego Sol, aiming to elevate our club to the premier status in Southern California.

Spatticus Harris

Spatticus Harris

Coach

Coach Harris is a full time coach for San Diego Sol. Harris is our Camps and Clinics Director and his knowledge and enthusiasm have contributed significantly to the growth and success of these programs.

More about Spatticus

Coach Harris is married and has three children, all of whom have grown up in the gym and play for the Sol program. Harris coached at San Diego Christian College and was also the assistant coach at Cathedral Catholic High School which won the 2019 CIF Open Division. Coach Harris played on our inaugural San Diego Sol Men’s Professional ABA team that won the 2011 Southern California Division Championship. Originally from Toronto, Canada Harris came to California to attend San Diego Christian College. He played all four years at SDCC leading the Hawks to two National Championships (NCCAA). He earned 1st team All-American honors and graduated with a degree in Kinesiology.

Shawn Lasalita

Shawn Lasalita

Coach

Coach Lasalita is a full time coach and administrator at San Diego Sol, currently in charge of our operations and social media departments. He has coached a variety of youth and high teams including our ABC/Sol German All-Star summer teams.

More about Shawn

He has also coached the boy’s freshman team at Cathedral Catholic High School. Lasalita graduated from Clarkson University in New York with a degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He played basketball for four years, winning a league title and making it to the NCAA tournament. Raised in San Diego, Lasalita attended Francis Parker High School where he helped lead the team to a school best 28-4 record. He was selected 1st-team Coastal South and was chosen to play in the 2007 San Diego All-Star game. Lasalita also holds the record for most three-point field goals made at his high school. In addition, he was a varsity volleyball player winning 3 CIF championships.

Demetrius Murray

Demetrius Murray

Coach

Coach Murray started his basketball journey at 15 years of age. He earned a position on the nationally ranked Riverside Community College team. From there he parlayed his talents into a double scholarship to San Diego Christian College in basketball and cross country.

More about Demetrius

After suffering a serious knee injury, Murray focused on school and work. But his love of the game burned strong so after college he continued to train and play and improve his skills. He earned a position in The Basketball League (TBL) on the Southern Indiana Timberjacks. Coach Murray enjoys giving back to the game by coaching the future generations of players. He has taken on an integral role in the Sol program and brings tremendous energy and excitement to the court.

Jullian Ota

Jullian Ota

Coach

Coach Ota has been an integral part in developing and growing our boys program. Coach Ota was the assistant varsity coach at Torrey Pines High School where, during his three-year tenure, they won two Palomar Championship League titles and competed in the California State Playoffs all three years.

More about Jullian

He also coached at Cathedral Catholic High School. Coach Ota graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Comparative Literature. In high school he was a three-sport athlete (basketball, football and track). In his junior year, he helped lead his basketball team to its most successful season in a decade as the team posted a 22-6 record. As a quarterback, Ota led the team in all-purpose yards and touchdowns in his senior season and was voted team MVP.

Matthew Vaughn

Matthew Vaughn

Coach

Coach Vaughn played for the 2-time Southern California Champion San Diego Sol men’s professional ABA team. He played professionally in Belgium, China, Germany, Mexico and South America.

More about Matthew

Vaughn graduated from Colorado Christian University with a degree in Business Management. As a college senior he was pre-season Player of the Year and was selected as 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-American. During his career he set all-time records for most points, assists and steals. He still holds all-time records for assists and steals. Raised in San Diego, Coach Vaughn went to Scripps Ranch High School where he averaged 24.4 points per game as a senior and was recognized as one of the Top Seniors to Watch in California.

Work with us

We are always looking for good coaches.

If you played, if you have coached, and if you like being around kids without needing to be the loudest person in the gym — get in touch. We also hire scorekeepers, referees and gym staff for leagues and tournaments.

Ready when you are

Meet them at a Tryout.

Fall tryouts are Monday, September 14, 2026 — grades 3–12, boys and girls. No cost, no obligation.

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