Coaching Staff (2024-2025)

Tannea Nelson

Tannea Nelson enters her third season as Head Coach of the Girl's Basketball program for Saint Mary's. In her first two seasons leading the Panthers, she has led the team to 26 victories and two trips to the North Coast Section (NCS) Quarterfinal Round. Nelson is a graduate of El Cerrito High School where she played 4 years of varsity basketball for the Gauchos. Coach Nelson accepted a full ride basketball scholarship to Cal State Northridge where she competed for 4 years. In 1999, Coach Nelson began her coaching career as an Assistant Coach at Diablo Valley College from 1999-2001. From there, she continued her career as an Assistant Coach at Dominican University from 2003-2005. During her 2 years at Dominican University, the team experienced success and was ranked in the top 20 in the NAIA Division II polls. After coaching as an assistant, Coach Nelson was hired as the head coach at College of Marin in 2007. She spent the next 10 years at College of Marin as the head coach before stepping away in 2017. In the 2014-2015 season at Marin, Coach Nelson received Coach of the Year in the Bay Valley College. From there, Coach Nelson joined the Contra Costa College basketball program as an assistant in the fall of 2017 until the spring of 2020.

From an education standpoint, Coach Nelson has earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminology from Cal State Northridge, and then earned a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. Coach Nelson is looking forward to her third basketball season as she is has all players returning from the 2023-2024 season.

Janine Jackson

Assistant Varsity Girl’s Basketball Coach, Janine Jackson, begins her second consecutive season with the Panthers under Head Basketball Coach, Tannea Nelson.

Coach Jackson has been coaching basketball for 14 years at various programs across the Bay Area. She began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at her alma mater, Oakland Tech, in 2010 under the leadership of her own coach, Valerie Heartsfield. Following her time at Oakland Tech, Jackson also served as an assistant coach at the Bentley School from 2019-2020. Following her time at Bentley, Jackson served as a head coach for the Legacy United Travel Club team from 2021-2022 until ultimately arriving to Peralta Park last season.

In her first season at Saint Mary’s, Jackson helped the team compile a 13-15 overall record and a North Coast Section (NCS) Playoff Berth where the team advanced to the Quarterfinal Round.

Jackson, a native of the Bay Area, grew up in Oakland, California where she attended Oakland Tech High School and excelled as a player for the basketball program. In fact, some of her accomplishments include a two-time CIF State Champion, a two-time NorCal Champion, a four-time OAL Champion, and Player of the Week Honors. Following her high school career, Jackson went on to Los Positas College where she continued her playing career from 2006-2008.

Academically, Jackson is very well rounded as she has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix (2015), a Master’s degree in Forensic Science from Holy Names University (2017), and a Ph.D in Forensic Psychology from Walden University (2022).

In her spare time to compliment her passion for the game, Jackson has a love for video games and enjoys being the godmother to Cean Harris Jr. and Amaya Malone. She currently resides in Antioch, California.

Candice Fredriksson

Assistant Coach, Candice Fredriksson, enters her first season at Saint Mary’s College High School as a member of the Girls Basketball Program and part of Head Coach, Tannea Nelson’s, coaching staff. Even though this is Fredriksson’s first year with the Panthers, she has already been coaching for four years, helping various age groups in the sport of basketball. Prior to her arrival to Peralta Park, Fredriksson coached two years for the Men’s ABA Semi-Pro Basketball Team located in Oakland, California. She has also coached the I9 Sports Co-Ed Youth Division Teams, as well as coaching the Youth Basketball Division for the Golden State Warriors for two years as well.

Fredriksson, born in Vallejo, California, and now a native of Oakland, attended Vintage High School in Napa, California, where she played four years for their girls’ basketball program both at the Junior Varsity and Varsity levels. Following her graduation from Vintage, Fredriksson continued her playing career at the College of Marin where she played for two years. She would then eventually earn her bachelor’s degree in Business & Sports Management from Holy Names University.

Following her graduation from Holy Names, Fredriksson has numerous coaching certifications from Phil Handy’s 94 FT Clinic, giving her the opportunity to develop individual players at various levels of the game, as well as a certification from the Valkaries WNBA Coaches Clinic, allowing her to focus on players’ mental and physical health.

While she is away from the hardwood, Fredriksson enjoys being at the gym and studying the game of basketball. She currently lives with her English bulldog, Simbe.

Patrick Rau

Head Coach Patrick Rau (’01) enters his second season at the helm of the JV Girl's Basketball program at Saint Mary’s College High School following his first season as the head coach. Coach Rau a three sport athlete in High School himself has been a great addition to the Saint Mary's staff,.  

Following his time at Saint Mary’s College High School as a student-athlete, Rau went on to attend his eventually alma mater, San Diego State University.

Rau is married with two children where his daughter currently attends UC Berkeley, while his son has entered his freshman year at Saint Mary’s College High School. He also still resides in his hometown of Richmond. He also currently the head coach of the JV Girls Basketball Team as well.