Assistant Coach Jose “Pep” Mendoza Steps Down from Baseball

5/23/2024

Varsity Baseball assistant coach Jose “Pep” Mendoza ‘88 has decided to hang up his baseball cleats. He has served the baseball program every year since 1997. He started as an assistant freshman coach and was the head coach from 2004-2017, compiling a .722 winning percentage. He has worked with varsity baseball head coach Josh Garica ‘07 since 2018 and coached three Premier All-Region catchers (Anthony Runfola, 2021; Henry Chabot, 2022; Lucas Franz, 2023) and each season ended with one or more of the following recognitions for catchers: 1st Team All-Region, 2nd Team All-Region, All-Star Selection, Defensive Player of the Year, All-State Honors.

“During my playing and much longer coaching career, I continued tripping upward, surrounding myself with winners!! As I recalled my coaching career, I smiled at the many memories of all those influential coaches I’ve surrounded myself with! Tim Sanford, Mel Harms, Ryan Dyer, Brad Shear, Scott Heideman, Jason Jewell, Scooter Molander, Chad Unrein, Tom Succow, Pat Higgins, Mike Nuñez, Riccio & Raoul Torrez, and, of course, Josh Garcia! - Jose “Pep” Mendoza ‘88

He will continue to coach on the freshman football staff this fall with Head Coach Scott Heideman.

“Coach Pep has been more like “Tio Pep” to me since I arrived at Brophy. He took me under his wing and showed me that hard work, loyalty, and integrity will take you a long way. He constantly reminded me of our school's mission in forming young men, and there is always a bigger picture than baseball. Pep was an outstanding role model for our players, and I’m grateful I could “suit up” with him for the past 7 years.”

Jose “Pep” Mendoza - Brophy Resume

Player: BCP ‘88 under Coach Tim Sanford OL; BCP Reached State Semifinals 1987; Earned Offensive Lineman of the Year, All-Region and All-State Honors 1987

Varsity Asst Coach under Coach Tim Sanford Offensive Line & Outside LB’s 1994-2001; between Offensive Linemen & OLBs, there were numerous 1st Team, 2nd Team & Honorable Mention All-Region Players & 13 All-State Honors Players.

1996 State Championship Runner-Up (vs Mesa Mtn View)

1998 State Championship Runner-Up (vs Desert Vista)

Freshman Football Defensive Coordinator & Offensive Line Coach (2002-2005); 2 perfect undefeated seasons (2004 & 2005) under Head Coach Brad Shear

Frosh Football Offensive Line (2017-present) under Head Coach Scott Heideman

Asst Freshman Baseball Coach under Head Coaches Andy Schmidbauer & Ryan Dyer (1997 - 2003)

Head Freshman Baseball Coach (2004 - 2017); .722 overall career winning percentage

Asst Varsity Baseball Coach (Catchers) under Head Coach Josh Garcia (2018 - 2024); 2024 Premier Region Champions with an 8-0 region record & State Semifinalist; each season ended with one or more of the following recognitions for catchers: 1st Team All-Region, 2nd Team All-Region, All-Star Selection, Defensive Player of the Year, All-State Honors