Andrew Barragan has rarely met a challenge he didn’t like. On Thursday, he was given a monumental one as he was named the new softball coach at San Benito High. The Haybalers softball juggernaut won nine Central Coast Section Division I championships under former coach Scott Smith, who was not retained this past season after 14 years on the job.
“It’s an honor to take Scott’s place and step into a program that pretty much he has built,” Barragan said. “I wouldn’t coach any other program if it wasn’t this one. I’m up for the challenge, and I know I have gigantic shoes to fill. At the same time, it’s a new era. I’m ready to rock and roll, and it’s exciting stuff.”
Although taking over the most successful program at the school—in terms of CCS titles—might seem daunting, Barragan will have a great mentor and friend in Smith to rely upon if needed. Smith gives lessons at Barragan’s downtown BlackJacks facility.
“I’d like to thank Scott for being my mentor and having faith in me,” Barragan said. “He said that if anyone in this town can do it (sustain success as the new coach), it was me. I’ve been around Scott for the last three to four years, and the knowledge he’s given me has really evolved my game and coaching style. In a way, he has prepared me for whatever situations will come as far as teaching the mastery and skills of the game. I wouldn’t have taken this job if I wasn’t prepared.”
The 44-year-old Barragan, a 1989 San Benito High graduate, served as the pitching coach for the Balers baseball team for six years and a softball coach for the traveling Blackjacks program for the previous three years. Barragan, who is also the Western Regional Director for Golden Memorial Insurance Services, is retaining Joe Monteon, who was an assistant under Smith.
Barragan will also bring on an additional assistant coach in Kim Reeder, who is one of the greatest pitchers in Notre Dame-Salinas softball history and later went on to have an All-American career at Ohio State University.
“We’re fortunate to have an All-American pitcher from Prunedale to come to Hollister and work with our girls,” Barragan said. “That says a lot about our program and how much respect it has.”
Indeed, few schools in Northern California can match the rich tradition of the San Benito program, which last season won its ninth section title in the last 10 years.
“I’m excited, ecstatic and ready to go,” Barragan said. “I’m looking forward to having a fantastic season, because let’s face it, we’ll have a target on our back as the defending champs. I’m ready to defend, and we have the horses to do it.”
The Balers will return Division I-signees Callee Heen and Suzy Brookshire, along with plenty of other talented players to make a run at the program’s 10th section championship. In addition to Smith, Barragan credited baseball coach Billy Aviles for helping him develop as a coach and giving him a lot of responsibilities.
“Billy gave me a lot of knowledge of baseball skills that I implement into softball now,” Barragan said. “What many people don’t know is Billy coached softball before baseball. He’s good friends with (Arizona State softball coach) Clint Myers, and coached under him for a year or two. Billy had faith and trusted in me to call (pitches) in championship games, and that’s what propelled me to be a good manager of the game.”
Barragan also thanked his family, of course, for not only their support but giving him the flexibility and time to dedicate his energy toward the softball program.
“If it wasn’t for my family, I wouldn’t be able to take this job,” he said. “They’ve given me a clear schedule where I can focus on softball 100 percent.”
Barragan recently coached the Blackjacks to a NorCal Regional championship, giving him confidence he could lead a group of older girls to similar success.
“With younger girls, they’re not physically or mentally mature enough yet to do some of the advanced things you want to teach them,” he said. “So I wondered what could I do with an elite team. With Hollister being a mecca for softball, I was ready to take the next step up. I can’t wait to get things started.”
