Joel Sobotka was hired as an assistant coach in April of 2006 and returns to the city of Portland after a three-year stint at Cal State Northridge. As an assistant coach, Sobotka helped guide the Matadors to the Big West Conference Tournament finals in 2003-04 and the conference tournament semifinals in 2004-05 with an 18-13 overall record.
Sobotka was the head coach at Portland State University for four years (1998-02) prior to his position at Northridge. Hired by the Vikings at the age of 28, Sobotka was the youngest Division I head coach in NCAA history before 27-year-old Jeff Capel took the reins at Virginia Commonwealth in 2002. He posted a 53-59 overall record and led the Vikings to the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference Tournament in 1998. Sobotka served as an assistant coach at PSU under Ritchie McKay from 1996-98, when the Vikings reinstated hoops after a 15-year layoff.
Between his years at PSU and Cal State Northridge, Sobotka spent four months as an assistant general manager with the Harlem Globetrotters. He served as a graduate assistant at Arizona State during the 1995-96 season. A 1993 graduate of ASU, Sobotka began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Eastern Oregon (1993-95).
A member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches since 1994, Sobotka served as a Division I congressman from 1999-02. He completed the NABC Professional Development Series at the 2005 Final Four and is also a member of the Oregon Coaches Association.
Sobotka is a founding member and currently on the board of directors of the Amyotophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, Oregon-Southwest Washington Chapter. Sobotka also volunteered as the camp director for the Chris Dudley Basketball Camp for Kids with Diabetes from 1998-00.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden selected Sobotka to participate in the Backboards and Blackboards program, which educates Oregon children on academic and basketball goals and opportunities.
From 1999 until 2002, Sobotka was featured on 1080 The Fan in Portland as an NBA and college basketball radio analyst.
Head coach Eric Reveno:
"Joel’s coaching experience combined with his appreciation and close familiarity with the city of Portland and the basketball community will make him a tremendous asset to our staff," Reveno said. "He will have a positive impact on every aspect of our program. Joel is a pleasure to work with and I could not be more excited to have him join our basketball family."
PERSONAL
Date of Birth: August 20, 1970
Birth Place: Scottsdale, Ariz.
High School: Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
College: Bachelor of Science, Management (Arizona State ’93)
COACHING HIGHLIGHTS
Assistant Coach, Eastern Oregon (1993-95)
Graduate Assistant Coach, Arizona State (1995-96)
Assistant Coach, Portland State (1996-98)
Head Coach, Portland State (1998-02)
*At 28 years old, was the youngest D-I head coach
Assistant General Manager, Harlem Globetrotters (April-July, 2003)
Assistant Coach, Cal State Northridge (2003-06)