Klamath Falls Gems Hire Coaches
August 17, 2011 - West Coast League (WCL)
Klamath Falls Gems News Release
KLAMATH FALLS, OR - The Klamath Falls Gems today announced the hiring of University of Oregon and Cowlitz Black Bears Assistant Coach Josh Hogan as the team's Head Coach. Hogan replaces John Welker, who served as the Gems' interim Head Coach from July 3 through the end of the 2011 season.
Hogan joins the Gems with five years of West Coast League experience. In 2011, Hogan served as first base and infield coach for the Cowlitz Black Bears. The Black Bears came within one game of making the WCL playoffs after joining the WCL in 2010. Prior to joining Cowlitz, Hogan spent three years as an infielder with the Corvallis Knights, winning the WCL Championship in 2008 and playing in the WCL Championship series in 2009. Hogan was named to the WCL All-Conference team all three years he played in Corvallis.
"Josh brings everything we're looking for in our Head Coach," Gems General Manager Chuck Heeman said. "He's got direct, successful experience in this league both as a player and coach. He has ties to a great program at Oregon and the recruiting network that comes with those ties. Josh was a large part of taking a second-year WCL expansion team to within one game of the playoffs this year - the same situation we'll be in next year. He knows the players in the WCL and will bring some of those players to Klamath Falls. He understands how to build a successful team in our league and he'll do a great job with the Gems."
Hogan, 23, is a graduate of Churchill High School in Eugene, where he was a two-sport athlete, playing baseball for head coach Eric Hoberg and football for head coach Darrel Mehl. After his senior baseball season Hogan was named first team All-State and the Midwestern League Player of the Year. He helped the Lancers to three straight Midwestern League championships. He then played two years at Mt. Hood Community College, where he earned first-team All-Conference honors, before joining George Horton's program as a player at Oregon in 2009. He joined the coaching staff under Horton after the 2009 season.
"Josh was recommended by Coach Horton as well as Dan Segel at Corvallis, Bryson LeBlanc at Cowlitz and many others," Heeman said. "We had the opportunity to have Josh meet with Danny Miles and the local ownership, and he became the clear candidate after that meeting."
The Gems also announced the hiring of Billy Klontz as the team's Lead Assistant Coach. Clontz is currently serving as an assistant coach with the Corvallis Knights, who are in the WCL Championship Series. This is his second year with Corvallis.
Klontz, a native of Bend, OR, grew up in Corvallis and graduated from Corvallis High School. He played baseball at Mt. Hood Community College and Western Oregon University. After his season is done with Corvallis he will go with Corvallis Head Coach Brooke Knight to spend the winter in Australia as manager of the Morley Eagles of the West Australian Baseball League.
The Gems have already started the recruiting process for 2012 and expect to announce player signings within the next couple of weeks. Hogan will complete his coaching staff as the off-season progresses.
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West Coast League Stories from August 17, 2011
- Klamath Falls Gems Hire Coaches - Klamath Falls Gems
- Black Bears Shortstop Signs with Phillies - Cowlitz Black Bears
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