Fernley Named Victory Coach of the Year
FRESNO, Calif. – El Camino College head coach Nate Fernley was named the 2017 Victory Custom Athletic Coach of the Year, it was announced Friday night at the California Community College Baseball State Championship Banquet.
In 2017, Fernley led the Warriors to their first South Coast Conference title since 2010 and the third since he took over the reins of the program in 2007. He has compiled a 333-180 record at ECC, a .649 winning percentage. During that period, no other SCC team has had more wins, overall or in conference (181).
Under Fernley, the Warriors have been mainstays in the postseason, making seven Regional appearances, three Super Regional appearances, one Sectionals trip and two trips to the CCCAA Baseball Final Four.
The Warriors ran off a program record 25-game winning streak during the 2017 campaign that spanned from Feb. 22 – April 13. They were ranked No. 1 in the final three California Community College Sports Information Association Top-20 rankings and earned the No. 5 seed in the 2017 CCCAA Baseball Playoffs.
Fernley has coached over 100 student-athletes who have gone on to four-year programs with several moving on to the professional ranks.
Fernley took over at El Camino College after two years as recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Long Beach City College. Fernley was an integral part of the Vikings' 2006 State Championship team. Under Fernley's direction the pitching staff ranked first in the South Coast Conference both years and fourth and first in California, respectively.
As a player Fernley played two years at Long Beach City College before transferring to BYU. Fernley was named a consensus All-American for the Cougars and led the NCAA with 16 wins. Post-graduation, Fernley signed with the Cleveland Indians organization. He played for three years in the Indians and Chicago Cubs minor league systems.
The Warriors open the 2017 CCCAA State Championships Saturday when they take on defending champions Santa Rosa. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.