Josh Blunt – Head Coach

Josh Blunt enters into his fifth season on the West Valley College Coaching staff and his second year as head coach.

It would be an understatement to say the Josh Blunt was the right man for the job back in the summer of 2007 when he was named the new head coach.  Blunt came on to the scene in a big way for the Vikes, as he lead West Valley to their most successful season in program history in just his first year as the Head Coach.  The Vikings finished the season with a final record of 35-8, and went an asstonishing 24-1 in Coast Conference play.  For the first time in school history, the Vikings played in the State’s Final Four tournament.  That team saw centerfielder Jason Codiroli get drafted in the 19th round of the Major League Baseball draft.

2009 featured a team full of freshman that experienced early struggles; however, finished the year as one of the hottest teams in Northern California.  After a 1-11 start, Blunt rallied the Vikings to a final finish of 22-18,  and a share of the Coast Conference championship.  Right handed pitcher Chris Balcom-Miller was selected in the 5th round of the Major League draft by the Colorado Rockies under Blunt’s tutelege.

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.

After his time at North Florida, Blunt accepted a job as the top Assistant at national power 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 nation.

Blunt’s success at the Junior College level propelled him into the Division 1 ranks as he was named an Assistant Coach at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas.  The following year, Blunt continued on at Cabrillo College where he was the Associate Head Coach for the Seahawks in 2004.

As a player, Blunt prepped at nearby Pioneer High School in San Jose.  After his prep days, Blunt experienced a great deal of success at DeAnza Community College.  He then transfered to Arkansas Little Rock to finish out his playing career.

Blunt received his Master’s Degree from Valdosta State, in Valdosta, GA.  He recieived his Bachelor’s Degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

The 35 year old Blunt and his wife Amanda reside in San Jose.

Rick Wiens – Assistant Coach

The 2010 season will mark the fourth year Rick Wiens has been on the coaching staff at West Valley College. Wiens will oversee the Viking offense as the team’s hitting instructor.   Other duties include coaching the outfielders, as well as coaching third base during games.

The Viking offense has been heavily impacted by Wiens’ arival in the 2006-2007 season.  Most notably, Wiens’ 2008 squad was full of offensive firepower, as the team hit a staggering .328 on the season.  That team saw Ryan Tregoning hit a league high .442 under Wiens.   The Vikings offense blasted 19 homeruns on the season and stole 98 bases.  From that offense was Jason Codiroli, who was drafted by the Padres in the 19th round.

Coach Wiens, a San Jose native, attended 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 the Wolfpack to the Regionals in 1999. In 2003 he started his college coaching career at Cabrillo College where he served as the hitting instructor and 1st base coach.

Rick Wiens holds a Bachelor’s Degree from National University and resides in San Jose.

Jim Priscaro – Assistant Coach

Jim Priscaro enters his third 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 2010 and assist with recruiting.

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.

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 holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massechusets, Boston and he resides in San Jose.

Brian Richer – Assistant Coach

The former Viking begins his third season with West Valley and will assist in all aspects of the game.  Primary duties will include coaching the Viking Catchers and will assist with the pitchers.

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.

Richer goes by the nickname “Boomer” and is currently attending San Jose State and working on a degree in Physical Education.

Jake McKinley – Assistant Coach

Jake McKinley enters his first year on the Vikings coaching staff in 2010.  2010 will be McKinley’s fifth year coaching College Baseball, where he will serve as the Viking’s pitching coach.

Prior to West Valley, McKinley was the Recruiting Coordinator at NAIA Campbellsville University in Kentucky.  While at Campbellsville, McKinley’s 2008 recruiting class was nationally recognized and propelled the Tigers to a final finish of #7 in the nation and a berth the NAIA World Series.   During his stint at Campbellsville, McKinley was also the Head Coach of the Kansas City Greys, a summer collegiate team in Kansas City.

Prior to Campbellsville, McKinley was the Associate Head Coach at Bethany University, in Scotts Valley, California.  His 2007 team included two first team All-Americans, and a finish of 31-19.

McKinley played his college ball both at Cabrillo College and Bethany University.  McKinley is the all time winningest pitcher in Bethany’s history, and was fourth in the nation in ERA as a junior.  After College ball, McKinley played two years of Independant Minor League Baseball, and still holds the GBL record for fewest hits allowed per nine innings.

Jake holds a Master’s Degree from Campbellsville University in Sociology and Psychology, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Bethany University.