Assistant Coaches IRV PANKEY Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Line
ROBERT DOUGHERTY Quarterbacks
Newest full-time addition to the COS staff is former Giant star Robert Dougherty, who will coach the quarterbacks and assist in the offensive play-calling. Dougherty, a Visalia native, attended Mt. Whitney High School and was an award-winning quarterback at COS in 1991-92, earning all-conference honors twice. He still holds 12 school records and is the COS all-time leader in passing yards (4988) and touchdown passes (46). Dougherty continued his career as a standout QB at Boston University for two seasons, leading the Terriers to the NCAA Division 1-A playoffs. While playing at BU, he was featured in a Sports Illustrated college football article. He is a member of the BU Hall of Fame. Robert earned a BA degree in Psychology from BU and a master’s in Sports Science from the United States Sports Academy. After college, Dougherty played in the Canadian Football League for two seasons and in NFL Europe for one. Robert had extensive experience as a high school football head coach before coming to COS. He was at Corcoran High School for three seasons, Exeter High for two and most recently was the coach at Mt. Whitney for four seasons. His 2006 squad was CIF Central Section Division II champion. Dougherty, who teaches physical education classes at the college, lives in Visalia with his wife Allison and children Makena, Maile, Madelyn and Sands.
A former professional football player with outstanding credentials, Irv Pankey returns for his 12th season on the COS football staff. Pankey coaches the offensive line, is the Assistant Head Coach and has recruiting responsibilities along with full-time coaches Curtis Allen and Robert Dougherty. Pankey is a native of Aberdeen, Maryland and attended high school there. He played at Penn State University for legendary coach Joe Paterno. In college, Pankey was twice named to the all-Big East Conference team as an offensive lineman. He was also second team all-American as a senior, and was the 50th player drafted in 1980 by the National Football League. Irv played offensive tackle for 13 years in the NFL, 11 with the Los Angeles Rams and two more with the Indianapolis Colts. Pankey’s coaching experience includes a year at Penn State as a graduate assistant and a year at Cornell University, before coming to COS. In addition to his coaching duties, Pankey teaches physical education courses at the college and is chair of the PE and Health Division. Irv and his wife Kelly have three children and reside in Visalia. Keith is a scholarship player on the Oregon State football team and Kevin plays at COS.
TOM PHILLIPS Defensive Coordinator
Veteran college coach Tom Phillips will return for his 10th year on the Giant staff and will coach the linebackers. Phillips, a former COS player, played on the 1963 Giant team for former coach Al Baldock. A graduate of Exeter High School, he went on to play two seasons for Wichita State and earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He received a master’s degree from McNeese State in Administration. Phillips’ experience includes coaching in Texas, one year at Dickinson High School and three at Tyler Junior College. He was also assistant head coach for three years at West Los Angeles College, and coached at Taft College for three years (under Baldock), where the Cougars reached the Potato Bowl game all three years. Tom was the head coach at Exeter High School in 1996-97, and led the Monarchs to the CIF Yosemite Division playoffs his second year. He joined the COS staff in 1998, took a year off, and returned in 2000. Phillips works for the Tulare County Office of Education and teaches physical education courses at COS.
LANCE BROOKS Receivers
Returning for his fourth year on the Giants staff is Lance Brooks, who will again coach the inside wide receivers. Among the standout receivers Brooks has coached are A.J. Jackson, Jamar Howard, Michael Benson and Robert Darby, who have gone on to excel at the four-year level. Brooks has coaching experience at Golden West High School for a year and at Ventura College for a year in both football and track. Lance attended Oxnard High School and played two seasons at VC, earning all-conference honors as a wide receiver. He went on to play two seasons at Illinois State University and earned a BA degree in economics. Brooks was a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals football team in 1985-86. Brooks spent 12 years with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and for the past 12 years has been an officer with the Visalia Police Department.
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