Tom Marx

Coach Tom, a San Francisco native, grew up in both the city and Fairfield before relocating to the East Bay. His athletic journey began at Wallenberg High School, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. While basketball held a special place in his heart, Coach Tom found success on the track as a mile runner, earning the title of All-City runner in both his Junior and Senior years. His personal best mile time of 4 minutes and 50 seconds was achieved during his Junior season. Additionally, Tom played three years on the basketball team, showcasing his dedication to the sport.

Tom’s high school playing experiences became the foundation for his coaching success and his drive to enhance youth basketball. Despite his freshman year stature of 4 feet 9 inches, Coach Tom’s hard work and commitment earned him a spot on the JV basketball team. His determination led to him being named team captain in his Sophomore year. However, a setback occurred in his junior year with a cut from the Varsity team. Undeterred, Coach Tom worked as the team manager for the Women’s Varsity team, gaining a fresh perspective on the game. This experience fueled his return to the team in his Senior year, where he progressed from being subbed in for fractions of a second to playing crucial minutes in the City Semi-Final Playoff game.

These high school experiences ignited Coach Tom’s passion for coaching. After assisting at his alma mater and coaching middle school basketball, he joined Bay City Basketball’s AAU level, leading to a fulfilling five-year tenure. Simultaneously, Tom coached at the high school level as the Frosh/Soph Head Coach at University High School in San Francisco, achieving an impressive 36-18 record, concluding with an 18-4 season.

Beyond his coaching achievements, Coach Tom has been involved in education, working with students from grades K-12 since 2014. Throughout this time, he has connected with youth players, emphasizing the joy of the game and fostering a positive environment regardless of skill level. Coach Tom’s coaching philosophy centers around learning and enjoyment, believing that combining these elements leads to success.

Coach Tom brings his deep passion for basketball and a commitment to elevating youth basketball to Underdogs Basketball. As a player’s coach, he aims to cultivate a program where players and coaches can flourish in a supportive environment both on and off the court.