​We’re now six week from the Coachella Valley Lakers beginning their first season in the valley, and the team officially has a head coach.The Lakers, the Los Angeles Lakers’ G-League affiliate, announced Friday that Alex Cerda, who became a South Bay Lakers assistant in 2023, will become the 12th head coach in team history. Cerda succeeds Zach Guthrie, who has joined JJ Redick’s Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff.“Alex has been an important part of our program for the last three seasons, and we’re excited for him to lead us into this next chapter,” said Coachella Valley Lakers General Manager Nick Mazzella. The Los Angeles Lakers announced in April that their G-League affiliate would move from the South Bay to the Coachella Valley and begin playing games inside Acrisure Arena. The Lakers have built a working relationship with the arena as the NBA team has played pre-season games there each of the last three seasons. Cerda will now lead the G-League affiliate into a new era, in the desert. Cerda previously served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Texas Legends from 2021-23, following two seasons in the Los Angeles Clippers video department. The Texas native began his professional coaching career with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in 2016 as head video coordinator and player development coach.“I am incredibly grateful and honored for the opportunity to lead the Coachella Valley Lakers,” Cerda said. “I’m excited to build on the foundation that has been established here and create a team that our players and fans can be proud of.”Mazzella said that Cerda’s ability to connect with players, his understanding of the team’s development philosophy and his experience in the G League make him a natural fit to lead the Coachella Valley Lakers. Cerda said that his focus as head coach will be to develop a competitive, connected and resilient roster that plays with purpose every night, while continuing to develop the skills of the players and prepare them for the NBA. Coachella Valley will tip off its 2026-27 G-League season Nov. 6 versus the Salt Lake City Stars inside Acrisure Arena.Andrew John covers sports and recreation in the Coachella Valley for The Desert Sun. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley Lakers name Alex Cerda new head coach