Longtime Shasta Men's Basketball Coach Announces Retirement

Redding, Calif. - Head men's basketball coach Kele Fitzhugh has announced his retirement after 29 years of dedicated service as Head Men's Basketball Coach at Shasta College. His last day of service with the district was May 22, 2026.

A Grass Valley native and Nevada Union High School graduate, Fitzhugh played collegiately at Weber State and CSU Chico, where he also began his coaching career. Following assistant coaching roles at Butte College and CSU Chico, he was named head coach of the Shasta College Knights in 1997.

Fitzhugh quickly built a winning program, capturing four Golden Valley Conference (GVC) Championships in his first five seasons. Over his 29-year tenure, he led the Knights to seven GVC Championships, along with five second-place and four third-place finishes, earning multiple GVC Coach of the Year honors. In addition to coaching, he served as a valued faculty member, teaching courses such as Nutrition and Fitness, Weight Training, Golf, and Fundamental Fitness, and providing youth summer camp opportunities for the community.

Fitzhugh has also been deeply committed to his family and community. He and his wife, Karin, who is retired after a distinguished 36-year career in physical education and coaching, have raised two children with strong ties to Shasta College. Their daughter, Karle Fitzhugh (Nye), was a multi-sport athlete at Shasta before competing at Sacramento State and now teaches at Mistletoe Elementary. Their son, Andrew, played basketball at Shasta and Cal Maritime and now works at the college, as Program Director – North State Together.

In retirement, Kele and Karin look forward to spending more time boating, golfing, RVing, and enjoying time with family and friends.

On behalf of Shasta College, we extend our sincere gratitude to Coach Fitzhugh for his decades of leadership, mentorship, and commitment to student success. His lasting impact on the college and its student-athletes will be felt for years to come.

Courtesy of Shasta College Athletics