Legendary Baseball Coach Dave Rodriguez recruited to Yuba College

Chrystal GillmingCollege News, Press Releases

Legendary Baseball Coach Dave Rodriguez recruited to Yuba College

(September 20, 2024) Marysville, Calif. – Yuba College hit a home run with Dave Rodriguez.

Recently approved by the Yuba Community College Board of Trustees as Yuba College’s new Baseball Head Coach, Rodriguez is virtually a legend in the area, having coached high school baseball at Yuba City High School (YCHS) for 32 years. During that time as Varsity Head Coach, Rodriguez won seven league championships, and two Sac-Joaquin Division III Section titles and helped his teams clinch 237 wins.

The lifelong Yuba-Sutter resident is a former 49er himself and said he feels like he landed his “dream job” with the head coaching position at Yuba College.

“Coaching Yuba College baseball was a life-long goal of mine,” Rodriguez said. “I’m excited to be coaching in my hometown and providing our players the opportunity to further their education and athletic performance at the next level.”

Yuba College Athletic Director Erick Burns said when the position to head up the 49ers opened, Rodriguez reached out to inquire.

“He stood out as a candidate because of his history with the college, his knowledge of the baseball landscape in the area, and his enthusiasm for coming back to Yuba to take the helm of the baseball program – a program he was once a student-athlete in,” Burns said.

Rodriguez played for Coach Engelken, the legendary Yuba College coach for whom the baseball field is named.

For some, Baseball is just a game. When thinking about the impact of the game on his current and former student-athletes, that’s not how Rodriguez sees the Yuba College Baseball program.

“Our community is lucky to have a college to give our students an opportunity to begin their college careers both academically and athletically in our own community,” he said. “My philosophy is to provide our ballplayers with a safe, competitive and fun environment. I believe it is important to recruit locally and keep our local athletes home as they begin their athletic and academic careers.” Burns agreed.

“Coach Rodriguez and I share a vision for the success of the baseball program. The Yuba-Sutter area is rich with baseball talent. Working to keep those prospects in the area is part of that vision for success,” he said. That vision means ensuring Yuba College baseball players have lots of opportunities for engagement, including camps, recruiting visits and alumni connections, said Burns.
Rodriguez’ other achievements include:

  • In 2024, he was recognized and honored for his tenure as assistant and head
    coach for over 30 years by the California Baseball Coaches Association.
  • In 2023, his American Legion Baseball team won the California State
    Championship and represented California in the Western Regionals.
  • In 2020 he was named the State of California High School Coach of Year.
  • 13 former players have signed MLB contracts and over 55 have played
    collegiately.
  • In 2015, the California Legislature Assembly Resolution recognized his
    program.
  • In 2015, he received a Proclamation from the City of Yuba City.
  • In 2023, Yuba City High School retired his number “4.”

Yuba College Baseball starts at the end of January and runs through the end ofApril. To stay up to date on Baseball at Yuba College, visit https://yc.yccd.edu/athletics/sports/baseball/.