Coach Kosta Goumenidis
Founder & Program Director – Ares Basketball
Coach Kosta Goumenidis is the founder, program director, and head coach of Ares Basketball, a youth basketball program built on effort, accountability, and the belief that discipline on and off the court leads to real growth.
With nearly 15 years of hands-on coaching experience — spanning youth leagues, club teams, and elite-level high school prospects — Kosta has helped shape the basketball journey of hundreds of athletes across Northern California. His teams are known for their grit, defensive intensity, and high basketball IQ, and he’s respected for his ability to both push players and connect with them on a deeper level.
But Coach Kosta’s story goes far beyond basketball.
An Athlete’s Journey – and a Pivot to Purpose
As a student-athlete growing up, Kosta excelled in multiple sports. He was a standout in track & field, earning a Division I scholarship offer for discus, and to this day holds records in the county he grew up in — achievements that remain unmatched. But before he could accept the offer, it was pulled due to a series of serious injuries. Rather than give up, Kosta pivoted toward a path that would redefine his identity and mission.
Military Service & Global Recognition
Following the setback, Kosta enlisted in the United States Navy, where he rose quickly as a leader and earned national recognition as a top military photographer and visual communicator. He was named Military Photographer of the Year and ranked among the Top 100 military photographers in the world — accolades that took him from the front lines to presidential events, high-performance training environments, and everything in between.
This unique lens gave Kosta a behind-the-scenes look into elite athletic programs across the world. He had the rare opportunity to photograph and observe some of the top coaches and programs in the NCAA, including time spent in locker rooms and courtside with legends like Coach Tara VanDerveer of Stanford. These moments shaped his understanding of leadership, performance, and what it takes to build a championship culture.
Building Ares Basketball
Ares Basketball is the culmination of all those experiences — part military discipline, part athlete-driven culture, and 100% focused on youth empowerment through sport. As the founder and program director, Coach Kosta has created a platform that does more than just teach basketball fundamentals; it prepares athletes for high-stakes environments, showcases, and leadership in every area of life.
It’s not just drills and defense — it’s about showing up, being accountable, and representing something bigger than yourself. The program intentionally selects high-caliber tournaments during the NCAA live period to maximize athlete exposure and put players on the radar for college programs.
Coaching Philosophy
Coach Kosta’s system emphasizes:
- Defense and physical toughness
- Work ethic and repetition
- Film study and IQ
- Resilience and accountability
- Team cohesion and leadership under pressure
He balances structure with trust — holding athletes to a high standard while giving them the tools to meet it. The result is a program where players are challenged, developed, and empowered.
You have to believe in the process and believe in yourself. Support has to come from within to not allow others to tear you down. If you believe in yourself and know what you are doing, there’s no stopping what you can achieve.
Legacy in the Making
Coach Kosta doesn’t just coach basketball. He builds future leaders. Through Ares Basketball, he’s creating something that outlasts the final buzzer: a competitive standard, a brotherhood, and a blueprint for young men to rise — on and off the court.