After a five-year run as an assistant baseball coach at Saratoga High from 2011-2015, Mike Minkel knew he wanted to run his own team as an on-campus teacher.
The 39-year-old achieved his goal when he was recently named the new Los Gatos High baseball coach. He takes over a proud program with a winning tradition and several varsity returners from the 2022 squad.
“It’s a great opportunity here at Los Gatos,” said Minkel, who is a special education teacher at the school. “I’ve been here four years now, and each year keeps getting better in terms of support from the administration, support from the community, support from the parents. It’s very similar to what I experienced when I started in the district at Saratoga High.”
In addition to assistant coaching stints at Saratoga High and his alma mater, Cumberland University, Minkel served in that same role the last two years at Valley Christian, the section’s premier program.
Minkel said he’s most excited about being an on-campus coach, because it will allow him to build relationships with the players on a more personal level and spend additional time with them.
“Being on campus allows deeper connections and relationships with players, families and the community,” he said. “That’s the thing I’m most looking forward to, is pouring more into these players and taking these relationships and developing them further from both a baseball and life perspective.”
Minkel was born and raised in San Jose and graduated from Leland High in 2000. From there, he played two years at Mission College before transferring to play at Cumberland, a NAIA program in Tennessee.
Minkel thoroughly enjoyed his time at Cumberland, and that experience made him realize there were plenty of opportunities to play college baseball besides the Division I level.
“There are many places for kids to keep playing beyond their high school years if that is what they want to do and are dedicated to doing,” he said.
After his stint at Saratoga, Minkel went back to school to earn his teaching credential. By that point, Minkel knew he wanted to lead a program and be on campus to do it.
“I’m really excited to get started with all the guys we’ve got returning,” he said. “I’m excited to see what we can do. Coach (Justin) Oliver and coach (Nate) Anderson before him, they did a great job with the program in terms of everything that comes with it. I’m just looking to continue that momentum and what has been established before me and spend more time with these guys.”
Since baseball practice doesn’t start until February, Minkel said he’ll enjoy going to all of the Los Gatos High football games in the fall.
“Watching the Friday Night Lights is a big thing for my family,” he said. “I’m fortunate to be married to a woman who enjoys going to football games, so we’ll be there for every home game at least.”
Sports editor Emanuel Lee can be reached at el**@we*****.com
