Jabari Trotter has been named an assistant men’s basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton.
A California native who grew up in Northridge, Trotter returns to the West Coast after most recently serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, Dartmouth College. Trotter had two separate coaching stints with the Big Green, first joining David McLaughlin’s staff in 2016 before returning to Hanover in 2021 following three seasons at Hawaii.
During his most recent tenure at Dartmouth, Trotter played a key role in the program’s resurgence. The Big Green posted a .519 winning percentage in 2025, marking the program’s first winning season since 1999, while the staff was named the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year following the 2024-25 campaign. Trotter worked extensively in player development and recruiting while also overseeing Dartmouth’s defense, which led the Ivy League and ranked among the national leaders in several defensive categories. He helped develop multiple All-Ivy League selections during his tenure.
Before returning to Dartmouth, Trotter spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Hawaii. With the Rainbow Warriors, he worked primarily with the wing players and focused on rebounding and transition. Hawaii posted a 46-26 record during his three seasons on the staff, and Trotter was involved in the development of several All-Big West performers.
Trotter began his collegiate coaching career during the 2015-16 season at Lehigh, where the Mountain Hawks enjoyed a successful season that included a 13-5 Patriot League record, the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament and an appearance in the Patriot League championship game.
Prior to entering the Division I coaching ranks, Trotter played professionally in Ireland with Dublin Thunder BC. While overseas, he also gained coaching experience with the KUBS U17 girls basketball team and the Lady Haroldites of Ireland’s Division II Women’s League. He earned a master’s degree in business management practice from Dublin Business School during his time abroad.
Following his return to the United States, Trotter worked at Phillips Exeter Academy as an admissions office intern and assistant boys’ basketball coach.
Trotter is a 2012 Dartmouth graduate with a degree in sociology. As a player for the Big Green, the combo guard appeared in 112 games — the second-most in program history — while making 80 starts. He averaged 6.9 points per game and knocked down 102 career three-pointers.
