Orignally from Shelby, North Carolina, Mario Pharr II has spent most of his life around sports as both an athlete and coach. His journey includes competing in track & field, serving as a member of the NC State Women's Basketball Scout Team, playing professionally in the ABA, TRBL, and CBL, and participating in G-League combines.

Growing up in a military family and being raised primarily by his grandmother, Mario often had to navigate athletics without the resources, guidance, or opportunities many athletes receive. Missing opportunities for AAU basketball, specialized training, and mentorship forced him to learn through experience, setbacks, and resilience.

Being around Hall of Fame Coach Kay Yow and the culture at NC State ultimately changed how he viewed sports. He learned that athletics are about far more than wins and losses, they are about leadership, character, and impacting people's lives.

This experience shaped his core belief: 

Athletes struggle most when pressure, setbacks, or their identity in sports completely control how they see themselves.

Today, Mario helps athletes build confidence, develop structure, navigate pressure, and discover who they are both in and beyond sports.

WHAT MARIO HELPS ATHLETES WITH

• Confidence and self-belief

• Managing pressure and expectations

• Building structure and consistency

• Balancing life and sport

• Identity beyond athletics

• Direction after sports

• Transitioning out of athletics

• Accountability and personal growth

COACHING STYLE

Mario brings a supportive, motivating, and accountability-driven coaching style rooted in both lived experience and years of coaching athletes.

Athletes working with him can expect:

• Honest communication

• Consistent support and encouragement

• Clear accountability

• Practical structure and guidance

• A growth-focused environment

His approach focuses on helping athletes become more confident, disciplined, and prepared for success both on and off the court.

WHAT MAKES MARIO DIFFERENT

Mario's approach is built on experiences from multiple sides of athletics—as an athlete, professional player, mentor, and collegiate coach.

He understands:

• The pressure athletes face daily

• What it feels like to navigate setbacks and missed opportunities

• The challenges of balancing sport with life

• The importance of identity beyond performance

In addition, he brings:

• Collegiate coaching experience

• Professional basketball experience

• Degrees in Education and Sport Management

• Ongoing graduate studies in Sport Management

• A strong focus on mentorship and leadership development

This allows him to help athletes build confidence, character, structure, and long-term growth.

A NOTE FROM MARIO

"I know what it's like to chase big goals, face setbacks, and feel the pressure that comes with being an athlete."

"I've experienced the highs and lows of sports as both a player and coach, and I've learned that growth comes from how you respond to adversity."

"My goal is to help athletes build confidence, stay disciplined, and become the best version of themselves both in sports and in life."

MARIO'S PHILOSOPHY

"Athletes grow the most when they stay consistent, remain coachable, embrace adversity, and focus on growth in character just as much as performance."

"Success isn't just about becoming a better athlete—it's about becoming a better person."

Mario enjoys spending time at church, with family, working out, playing basketball, personal development, traveling, and building genuine relationships with others.

Fun Fact: Mario is extremely competitive and enjoys learning new skills. Whether it's sports, music, games, or personal development, he loves challenging himself to grow and improve.

COACHING & EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Head Women's Basketball Coach at Los Medanos College

• Helped lead the program to its first 20+ win season and first playoff victory in school history

• Bachelor's Degree in Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management

• Currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Sport Management at Wingate University

• Focused on leadership development, athlete mentorship, and character growth