Coach Trey Putnam comes to SBCC with over 25 years experience as a player and coach of the game of basketball. As a local of Santa Barbara, Trey graduated from Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) in 2001.

He then went on to play college basketball at Dominican University of CA and graduated with a BA in Sports Psychology. As a 4 year starter, Trey brings a winning attitude after playing in a successful program and helping his team accumulate over 100 wins during his college career. After his college stint, Trey moved to the Los Angeles area where he began his coaching career by working for two national camp companies: Advantage (ABC) and Game Time (GTBC).

Over the next 15 years, ABC and GTBC provided Trey many opportunities to travel around the western states, along with many cities in California to work with thousands of kids of all ages. It was during this time, Coach Trey began honing his passion and ability as a skills development coach, along with building his knowledge of how to effectively coach the game of basketball.

In 2010, Trey moved back to the “805” where he began working at San Marcos High School for 3 years as a Head and Assistant Coach. And then his alma mater, SBHS for a year, as an assistant. Both programs have each enjoyed a CIF title over the last 10 years and having a hand in that fills Trey with tremendous pride.

Because of the many relationships Trey developed over the years, this opened other opportunities to work for a couple small private schools in SB County. He spent five years at Garden Street Academy as an Athletic Director and one year at Dunn, a boarding school in Los Olivos, as an assistant AD and Head Basketball Coach. Working in these settings, Trey had to wear many hats and enjoyed the unpredictable daily duties, including his work as a PE teacher, event planner, and other various office and athletic responsibilities. However, just like many around the world, the pandemic caused Trey to reshuffle his priorities and readjust what he’s actually most passionate about. So, after receiving  the offer to work in a college setting, Trey immediately jumped at the opportunity. 

From afar, Trey always had an appreciation for the SBCC team. And while his goals are to create consistent team success, he has witnessed many of the players who have come out of the program display a high level of character and a true love for the game. It’s in these personal qualities where Trey’s basketball philosophy has been built. He believes that as long as there is a passion for the game, a coach can instill confidence and a sense of belief in his players' lives beyond just playing on the court. Plus, if players can hold true to their teammates and show an appreciation for them with an unselfish attitude, success will undoubtedly follow.

Trey’s emphasis is built from teaching the whole person through physical toughness and a strong mental aptitude, but most importantly, an enjoyment of the process.  And in order for an athlete to reach their personal goals, they have to first be able to look in the mirror, hold themselves accountable, while demanding more from themselves. Basketball to Trey, is used as a tool in order to realize an individual’s potential. He is excited about the opportunity and is looking forward to getting to know each and every athlete in the SBCC programs and hopes they all can find the same passion in their lives as they maneuver through their college years and beyond.