Merced College is pleased to announce the appointment of Amaurys Fermin as the new head coach of the Blue Devils men’s basketball program.
Fermin brings a wealth of experience from California community colleges and international play. He succeeds Allen Huddleston, who recently joined Fresno State as that program’s first-ever general manager.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Coach Fermin to Merced College,” said Bob Casey, Associate Dean and Athletics Director. “He quickly stood out in a competitive search with his junior college head coaching experience and track record at successful programs across the state. His teaching experience in kinesiology, combined with his local recruiting connections, make him an ideal fit not just for our basketball program, but for our campus community as a whole.”
Said Fermin: “Merced College represents everything I value in a program—opportunity, growth, and heart. I’m looking forward to investing in our student-athletes and competing at a high level while building a lasting legacy on and off the court. I want to express my gratitude to President Chris Vitelli, Dean Bob Casey and VP of Student Services Mike McCandless for this incredible opportunity.”
Fermin comes to Merced College after serving as the head coach at Barstow Community College, where he led the Vikings through a rebuilding phase. Prior to Barstow, he was the associate head coach at Allan Hancock College, contributing to a 24–7 season that included a 16-game winning streak and a team GPA of 3.4. He also served as head coach at Porterville College, guiding the Pirates to two consecutive 3C2A playoff appearances and an overall record of 37–21.
Fermin is a native of the Bronx, New York, where he led John F. Kennedy High School to a New York City Championship in 2005 and earned First Team All-City and All-State honors. He began his collegiate playing career at the junior college level, competing at Missouri State University-West Plains and Hagerstown Community College, before earning a full scholarship to play Division I basketball at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the Big West Conference.
At Cal Poly, Fermin led the Big West Conference in assists during his senior year and helped the Mustangs achieve one of their most successful Division I seasons. He graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in History, and later played professionally in Europe and for the Dominican Republic National Team, winning gold at the 2012 Centrobasket Championship.
Fermin holds a master’s degree in Exercise Science from Pennsylvania Western University and is the founder of the 6th Man Basketball Academy, a nonprofit organization focused on youth development.
In addition to his coaching and playing experience, Fermin is an active member of the California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA) and the Latino Association of Basketball Coaches (LABC). He has also held leadership roles in elite-level youth basketball, including serving as the West Coast Elite UAA Central Region Program Director and working with the Nike EYBL Oakland/Sacramento Soldiers—two of the premier grassroots basketball programs in the country.
“What drew me to Merced College was the strong sense of community and the potential to build a winning culture rooted in integrity, discipline, and hard work,” Fermin said. “I’m committed to developing a program that our students, alumni, and city can be proud of. The foundation is here, and I can’t wait to get started.”