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Dragons Varsity Coaches (1999-2005)
Varsity Coach Joel Kaufman (147-43) concluded his 7th season as Varsity coach with a 2nd Division III State Championship (2005, 2000) as the Dragons had their first undefeated regular season in school history. Under his tenure the Dragons have claimed 5 HAAL League Championships and 6 NCS berths. The Dragons have additionally won 4 Easter Tournaments, have had 2 League MVP's, 4 Pitchers of the Year, 6 Players named to the All-state team and over 60 named to All-League teams. The Dragons have 4 times been ranked by Cal-Hi Sports in the top 6 in the State in Div III. Coach Kaufman was selected Callifornia Div III State Coach of the Year in 2000, Oakland A's Coach of the Week in 2003 and HAAL Coach of the Year in 2004. His team was recognized in 2004 nationally as the "Team Worth Watching" by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association. Under his tenure the program has added a Frosh baseball team, a lighted batting cage, new bleachers to double attendance, a new infield and put on one of the most successful youth camps drawing over 100 kids annually. In the last 7 years over half of his seniors have gone on to play college baseball at some of the best baseball programs in the country. According to Coach Kaufman, some of his top Dragon moments were: the 2005 undefeated (23-0) regular season drawing a national #17 ranking from Baseball America, winning the West Coast Classic in 2005 in dramatic fashion over Mitty and over Mater Dei in 2000, beating De La Salle on Steve Singleton's walkoff homer in 2003, and the success of the 2004 team reaching the NCS semi-finals by demolishing Deer Valley after being down 4 runs in the 1st inning.
Assistant Coach Jamel Demir joined Coach Kaufman for his 6th season as his right hand man and 1st base coach. Coach Demir also coaches the Frosh team in his "spare time". According to Coach Kaufman, " I get the best of both worlds with Jamel. My frosh learn the proper fundamentals and how we do things at Varsity. Coach Jamel expects the players to execute the "small ball" part of the game which is critical by the time players reach Varsity." Coach Jamel brings continuity to the program through is involvement as a Coach of the Summer Legion team.
Assistant Coach Dick Walterhouse returned for his 3rd season with the Dragons, this time as a part-time practice assistant who will throw batting practice and assist with the outfielders on days that he is available. Coach Kaufman called Coach Walterhouse the Michael Jordan of the Dragons. We gave Coach Walterhouse a nice going away plaque and now he is back. He will be a nice combination with Coach Ash (also part-time) to give the Dragons veteran assistant coaching.
Assistant Coach Teddy Kearns is the first of Coach Kaufman's graduated Dragon players to join the Coaching Staff. Teddy was an outstanding 1st baseman on the 2000 State Championship team and one of the impact players of that team. He went on to play baseball at Fordham University. He will assist Coach Joel with the defense. We are pleased to have Teddy back with the Dragons.
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