Josh Blunt – Head Coach

Coach Blunt enters into his 4th season at West Valley College and second year as head coach. During his first season, Blunt was named Coach of the Year in the Coast Conference guiding the Vikings to school records for both conference wins and total season wins. The 33 year old San Jose native attended Pioneer High School where he was twice an all CCS selection – once as a pitcher and once as a catcher. Blunt’s collegiate career began at De Anza junior College and continued at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Blunt’s collegiate coaching experience began at North Florida Community College in Madison, Florida. During his two year stay they compiled an overall record of 98-44. While at N.F.C.C., Blunt continued his education pursuing a Masters degree in Kinesiology at near by Valdosta St. University. His next stop was at Okaloosa-Walton Community College in Niceville, Florida. During his three year stay, OWCC won the conference once and placed second once. His recruiting class in 2001 was voted the top incoming team in the NJCAA poll.

Blunt’s next stop was in 2003 at Sam Houston State a Division I school in Huntsville, Texas. He then continued on at Cabrillo College where he was the Associate Head Coach.

Academics:

• Bachelors Degree – Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo, CA.
• Masters Degree – Valdosta State University – Valdosta, GA.

Rick Wiens – Assistant Coach

Rick Wiens begins his second season at West Valley College. Coach Wiens, a San Jose native, attend Pioneer High School where he was an All-league outfielder in 1995. He began his college career playing at De Anza where he was an All-State outfielder in 1997, hitting .435 with 8 home runs and an amazing 29/29 in stolen bases.

His playing career continued at Arizona State, a team that went to the College World Series in 1998. He then transferred to the University of Nevada Reno where he helped lead them to the Regional’s. In 2003 he started his college coaching career at Cabrillo College where he served as the hitting instructor and 1st base coach.

In 2008 Rick’s primary functions will be: to serve as the 3rd base coach, hitting instructor and outfield coach. Rick is currently working on his degree at National University.

Jim Priscaro – Assistant Coach

Jim Priscaro enters his first year at West Valley College as the infield coach and assists as the hitting instructor. Coach Priscaro will also be the 1st base coach in 2008 and assist with recruiting. He began his college career playing at De Anza Junior College and then transferred to the University of Massachusetts-Boston where he was twice an all league player as a 3rd baseman. During his 2 years at UMASS-Boston he was in the top ten in hitting in the league both times. He then continued playing in independent ball as he played in the Boston Park League in 2001. James made the All Star team as a shortstop and was fifth in hitting in the league that year.

Priscaro’s coaching experience began at Cupertino High School as the head coach for two years starting in 2003. His next stop was Westmont High School as an assistant coach, where he helped lead the warriors to the CCS playoffs. In 2007 he was an assistant at Leland High School, a team that took 2nd in the league and made the first round of CCS. James received his bachelor’s degree from University of Massachusetts -Boston in 2001.

Brian Richer – Assistant Coach

The former Viking begins his first season with West Valley and will assist in all aspects of the game. Coach Richer attended Santa Teresa High School where he caught for 3 years. Coach Richer continued his career at West Valley where he caught and pitched. Coach Richer’s primary functions will be: to coach pitchers and catchers and serve as Coach Blunt’s primary bench coach. Brian is currently attending San Jose State and working on a degree in Physical Education.