What They're Saying About Eric Valenzuela
7/31/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
New Saint Mary's baseball coach Eric Valenzuela has served previous stints at San Diego and San Diego State, as well as beginning his career in Moraga as an assistant with the Gaels. Here is what people associated with those programs have to say about Valenzuela as he takes over at Saint Mary's.
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"It's how hard he works. He works really hard at trying to make things better. Pitching wise, recruiting wise, he understands how it all works. You hate to lose guys like that but you know in the process that's what's going to happen. I think he's going to do very well because he gets it."
- Tony Gwynn, San Diego State head coach and MLB Hall of Famer
"Coach Valenzuela brought a passion for coaching as an assistant at Saint Mary's when I was a student athlete in 2002. My teammates and I loved the energy and intelligence he brought then in his first year of coaching. 10 (or so) years later, with plenty of experience now under his belt I couldn't be happier with the direction and future of a rejuvenated Saint Mary's Baseball program under Coach Valenzuela."
- Mark Teahen, former Saint Mary's standout and major leaguer
"I think Eric's going to bring some toughness to the program. Not to say Saint Mary's didn't have any tough kids but Eric is a tough guy. I think he's done a tremendous job recruiting at USD and San Diego State as well. I just think it's a really good hire."
- Deron Johnson, Minnesota Twins director of scouting and Saint Mary's graduate ('88)
"I think he's obviously been a great pitching coach for a while. Ever since I've known him, he's been a leader and a guy teammates rally around. Bringing that same kind of leadership quality to the program at Saint Mary's, players and recruits will really look up to him."
- Dan Haren, Washington Nationals pitcher
"He's a funny guy and easy to talk to but at the same time he demands respect from people. That's a good quality when it comes to a head coach in a college program. You're getting kids away from home for the first time and he's a good father figure for guys. He expects a lot from his players and he is that kind of guy that you don't want to let down."
- A.J. Griffin, Oakland Athletics pitcher
"Eric is a rising star among coaches across the country. He was directly responsible for our success here at USD during the time he was here. He developed Major League pitchers such as Brian Matusz and A.J. Griffin. Saint Mary's will be extremely impressed with Eric Valenzuela, and we wish him all the luck in the world, except when they play the Toreros. Great job, Gaels."
- Rich Hill, University of San Diego head baseball coach
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