Mike Cordero, Head Coach Baseball
Head Coach Mike Cordero knows what it's like to be a community college student-athlete. An infielder at Pasadena City College, Coach Cordero played under Head Coach Mike Scolinos. "I went in at shortstop but I was too slow and I was moved to 3rd. I was a multiposition hitter," Cordero said. From PCC, Cordero was able to transfer to Upper Iowa University where he earned a degree in Marketing with thoughts of becoming a MLB general manager.
After college, Cordero returned to California and was approached by his high school coach (Cathedral HS) and asked to take over their baseball program. Cordero was 23. "Coach (Morales) knew I had it in me to coach; it was his final plan." "Coach Morales had cancer and he wanted me to take over the program. He died the fall before I took over the program and I coached in his memory. He was a major impact on my life and was a father figure." An emotional transition, Cordero looked to extend Morales' legacy and took Cathedral to a league title.
After only two years part-time coaching, he knew this was the career for him, giving up on marketing. Prior to Chaffey, Cordero coached at the community college and DI levels including serving as an assistant for CCCAA legend Scott Pickler at Cypress. In 2019, the Panthers defeated Cypress. “We played one of our best games of the season and we beat the guy that taught me how to be a head coach. I love “Pick” but I have to say the win was probably my biggest to date,” he laughed.
"I want my players to learn about competition - not just sports," Cordero stressed. "They need to be prepared to fight for what they want; on the field and in life." Getting to know each player is a big part of ensuring individual success; learning what their goals are so he can help them reach their definition of success. "It's about constant growth and developpment. There are no limits."
Cordero's success is evident on the field and in the classroom. Last season's team achieved an average GPA of 2.98. "I let these guys know what resources are available to them. They need to learn to communicate with their professors, manage their time, and build proper study habits - skills they often don't come in with," said Cordero. "I tell them (Academic Counselor, Jeff) Moser is your best friend to stay on track for transfer." He also encourages players to spend the summer playing ball out of state, "It's the first time most of these guys have lived away from home."
2020's season was cut short due to COVID-19 but even in the few short weeks of competition, Chaffey had already established itself as a team to watch. "Elias (Jauregui) came to us unrecruited last year. By his sophomore season he went from 85 to 91mph and had added 15 pounds of muscle. When we ended, he lead the state in strikeouts and had we finished it out, he would have been top in the nation." Jauregui has been recruited to play Division I baseball at CSU Northridge.
"And that's just one of our success stories from the short season," Cordero continued. "We were 3rd in fielding percentage in the state. Dumont had one error all season. Top 10 in stolen bases. We were one of the Top 10 teams in the region; we would have been dangerous if the season had played out." The Panthers had a tough non-conference schedule going 8-5-1 against some of the top programs in Southern California and are proudly sending 13 sophomores on to the next level.
"Chaffey College has one of the top academic programs in the nation. Players that start off with us move on to 4-year schools across the nation," Cordero boasted. And Cordero's not stopping, "Chaffey Baseball is on the rise - our goal is to be at the state championships in the next 5 years." With some key returners, NCAA transfers, and pitching recruits with arms in the 80s and 90s, the 2021 season is sure to be an exciting one. "Chaffey is special," he continued. "Wear that C on your chest with pride. You're representing a long history, success in the community, and an outstanding institution."
When Cordero's not on the field, he enjoys fishing, camping, being outdoors, and training his bird dog. This summer, the Corderos were headed to Alaska but were sidelined by the stay-at-home orders. Cordero was scheduled to coach summer ball and was looking forward to spending his off-time fishing and exploring the state with his family. "I grew up going to the High Sierras and that's where I take the family to. And also on my own," he joked. With two daughters (aged 11 & 7), he's spent his remote time in the pool and rollerblading with the girls.
This summer Coach Cordero was slated to coach in the Alaska Baseball League (ABL) with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots; one of the top summer collegiate leagues in the nation with a roster of the top Division I athletes in the country.
"This has been a big adjustment for us as coaches," Cordero said. "We're watching a lot of video and trying to put together the right group of guys that will be ready to play in the spring." With 13 transfers and some key returners, he's also making sure everyone stays on track. "My job's not done until they show back up in a few years with that degree in-hand, knowing what they want to do in life."