Aaron Chávez enters his first season with the Mountain Lions in 2025-26.
Before UCCS, Chávez spent five seasons as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Bakersfield College after previously serving 15 years as the program’s Associate Head Coach. Across two decades with the Renegades, Chávez helped guide the program to 314 career wins, three conference championships, nine playoff appearances, and a Final Four run. His leadership produced 82 players advancing to four-year institutions, along with nine conference MVPs, eight All-State selections, and two California State Players of the Year.
After taking over as head coach in 2020, Chávez continued the program’s strong tradition. Under his direction, Bakersfield maintained a 3.66 team GPA, sent 21 players on to four-year programs, and produced nine All-Conference selections. His teams have been consistent playoff contenders while also emphasizing academic excellence and community engagement.
Prior to his time at Bakersfield College, Chávez spent the 2004–05 season as an assistant coach at Bard College in New York, where he helped the Raptors capture the 2005 Hudson Valley Athletic Conference Tournament title. He also played a key role in developing multiple All-Tournament selections, an All-American nominee, and three NABC Academic Honor Roll players. Chávez began his coaching career at West Las Vegas High School in his native New Mexico, where his teams went 57-17, captured three district titles, and reached the 2004 Final Four.
A native of Mora, New Mexico, Chávez earned his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a minor in Coaching and his master’s degree in Human Performance and Sport from New Mexico Highlands University. In addition to his coaching duties, he has directed numerous youth camps, including the Miranda Serna Memorial Basketball Camp, which has raised more than $40,000 in scholarship support. He is a long-standing member of both the NABC and the California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association.
