Bio

Jessica Rapoza was named head coach of the ECC Warriors in the Summer of 2014 making the 2015 season her first at the school. She enters her ninth season at the helm of the Warriors in 2024. 

Since becoming a head coach in 2010, Rapoza has amassed a 366-179-2 overall record in 13 seasons with a 164-83-1 record in conference games. Her teams have made the postseason in every single completed season except for her first year at Santa Ana College in 2010. In her eight seasons with the Warriors, the team has made the playoffs every year that was completed. In 2020, there was no postseason after the COVID-19 Pandemic caused the cancellation of the remaining schedule, leaving ECC with just 20 games played that year. There was no season in 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  

During her tenure with the Warriors that began in 2015, the team has seen unprecedented success. She has posted an incredible 231-101-1 overall record, a .694 winning percentage, in her eight seasons as head coach. The Warriors have recorded 30-win campaigns in four of her eight years as coach with the 2020 season getting cancelled after 20 games due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Her conference record is even better, leading ECC to a 105-37-1 South Coast Conference record in the past eight seasons, an .734 winning percentage. The Warriors have won the conference title in four of the last eight years with Rapoza at the helm and have accounted for four of the five conference titles in program history, the other coming in 1989. 

In 2018, the team advanced to the CCCAA State Championships for the first time in program history. The Warriors would finish tied for fifth place in the state after going 1-2 at the CCCAA State Championships. 

Through the 2019 season, 35 Warriors softball players have gone on to further their education at the next level with 29 continuing their collegiate softball careers in NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA institutions. 

Rapoza joined the Warriors after spending five seasons as the co-head coach at Santa Ana College alongside Kim Nutter.

Rapoza brought an impressive resume to El Camino. She helped lead the Dons to several record-breaking performances including the program’s best season in nearly two decades. In 2014, the Dons broke 18 SAC records with a 36-10 overall record and advanced to the Super Regionals.

During Rapoza’s tenure, the Dons posted a 135-78-1 record while leaving the Dons record books with 40 new marks.

Prior to her time at Santa Ana, Rapoza was a part of the coaching staff at Santiago Canyon College for three seasons, helping the Hawks establish their program.

Before beginning her collegiate coaching career, Rapoza worked at the MVP Academy in Redding where she served as a hitting instructor as well as a defensive specialist. She also held her own clinics in the city of Redding where she focused on infielders, outfielders and catchers.

Rapoza has also worked at the professional level where she served as a softball instructor in a women’s professional softball league in association with the Colorado Rockies and the Minnesota Twins. Along with her work in these leagues, Rapoza spent time as a player/coach with the Arizona Heat of the National Pro Fastpitch League.

Rapoza began her coaching career at her alma mater, Point Loma Nazarene University, as an assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach.

During her playing career at Point Loma, Rapoza was a two-time NAIA All-American selection and a NAIA All-American Honorable Mention. She was named All-Conference and All-Region three times while winning two gold gloves and being named Offensive Most Valuable Player. Rapoza was inducted into Point Loma’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

Rapoza graduated from Point Loma with a bachelor’s degree in physical education before earning her master’s degree in exercise science from the California University of Pennsylvania. She is currently working towards her doctorate in sports management.

JESSICA RAPOZA COACHING CAREER AND RECORD

South Coast Conference Coach of the Year Awards: 3 (2019 SCC South, 2017 SCC South, 2015)
South Coast Conference MVPs: 3 (Last - Diamond Lewis, 2018-19)
SCC Pitchers of the Year: 3 (Last - Jocelyn Hernandez, 2019)
All-SCC Team Selections: 47 (3 MVP, 3 Pitchers of the Year, 16 1st Team; 17 2nd Team; 8 HM)

Career Head Coaching Record (2010-Present; 13 Seasons): 366-179-2 (164-83-1)
Coaching Record at El Camino College (2015-Present; Eight Seasons): 231-101-1 (105-37-1)
Coaching Record at Santa Ana College (2010-14; Five Seasons): 135-78-1 (59-46)

# - SCC Coach of the Year
! - No Season Due to COVID-19 PANDEMIC
% - Season Cancelled after 20 games due to COVID-19 PANDEMIC

FURTHER BREAKDOWN

ALL-SOUTH COAST CONFERENCE SELECTIONS, BY YEARS (47)

2023: Six Selections (One First Team, Threee Second Team, Two Honorable Mention)
2022: Five Selections (Two First Team, Two Second Team, One Honorable Mention)
2021: No Season - COVID-19 Pandemic
2020: No All-SCC Team Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2019: Eight Selections (MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Two First Team, Three Second Team, One Honorable Mention)
2018: Nine Selections (MVP, Five First Team, Two Second Team, One Honorable Mention)
2017: Seven Selections (MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Two First Team, Two Second Team, One Honorable Mention)
2016: Seven Selections (Two First Team, Four Second Team, One Honorable Mention)
2015: Five Selections (Pitcher of the Year, Two First Team, One Second Team, One Honorable Mention)

Updated 1-22-2024