Muckdogs Coaching Staff

Providing a Fundamental Approach To Success

Bret Pagni – General Manager/ Owner/ Muckdogs 19U assistant coach/ Muckdogs 9U Head Coach

Bret played locally at McQueen High School (’91-’93) and at Reno High School (’94).  After graduating he went on to play California Community College baseball at Yuba College (’95-’96) in Marysville, California, Earning second team All Bay Valley Conference honors his sophomore year on the field of play. He also earned his associates degree in arts off of the field that same year.  After his two years at the JC level he earned a Division One baseball scholarship to play at Centenary College (’97-’98) in Shreveport, Louisiana.  While arning All-Louisiana Team honors his junior year he was a significant contributor his two years in the program, and off the field he earned a bachelor’s degree in English.  After his senior year (summer of ’98) he was fortunate enough to sign a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs organization where he played with their rookie ball team in Mesa, Arizona.  Unfortunately his time there was short as he was released less than a month later.

Once he came home he decided to end his playing career and start full time with his coaching career.  His first lesson client, Joe Wieland, has gone on to be drafted by the Texas Rangers organization in the fourth round of the 2008 draft and is currently at the AA level with the Rangers.  Bret went on to build his lesson business and in 2004, with the help of Ken Camel, they started the Muckdogs Baseball Club.  During the past eight years Bret has spent time as head coach of the 10U team and is currently the head coach of the 9U club.  He serves as the assistant coach/ recruiting coordinator for the Muckdogs 19U team, which recently won the 2010 Joe DiMaggio World Series.  His Muckdogs general manager duties keep him busy, and also serves as the president of Nevada Lightning Fastpitch, a traveling softball organization that was established in 1990.  He works hard on a daily basis with his instructors to prepare athletes for high school, college and beyond.

Ken Camel – Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 19U Manager/ Muckdogs 18U Black Head Coach

Ken started his high school baseball career at Ocean Springs High School (’89-’91) in Mississippi.  When his parents moved to Hawaii he concluded his high school baseball career at Millani High School (’92).  After graduating he went on to play a year at Central Arizona College (’94), where his team was ranked in the top 25 of the NJCAA rankings.  After his time at CAC, he earned a solid financial aid package to play for Division Three powerhouse, Upper Iowa University (’95-’97), where Ken played under current Indiana State Head Coach Rick Heller.  Ken’s team played for the NCAA Division Three National Championship his junior year.  Off the field, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Marketing, graduating with double major.

Ken began his coaching career as a high school baseball coach in Minnesota as an assistant coach at Owatanna High School (’98).  He went on to coach in Iowa as the Kennedy High School Feeder Program Head Coach (’99-’00).  After taking a year off from coaching he led a group of 12U players from Iowa to AAU state championship, serving as their head coach for a year (’02).  In 2004 he moved to Reno and started working out of our academy.  He started up as a lesson instructor and also was one of the first head coaches in Muckdog history, taking the 14U head coaching position.  Later that summer he took the reigns as the Muckdog 19U coach, helping build the program to what it is today.   In 2006 he led the Muckdogs 14U team to a third place finish at the Winter Nationals in Surprise, Arizona.  Currently he remains the 19U manager, leading the club in the summer of 2010 to it’s first Joe DiMaggio World Series title.  He is also the 18U Black Muckdogs fall/winter team coach.  You can find him at the facility most every day working with his students and talking to college coaches trying to promote our athletes to the next level.

Brent Johnson- Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 14U Head Coach

Brent began his high school career as a four year varsity player at Dayton High School (’93-’96).  He went on to play in fall with College of the Siskiyous (’97).  He transferred to Feather River College (’98-’00) and played under current St. Mary’s Head Coach Jed Soto.  Brent learned a lot of what he teaches his players today while playing under Coach Soto.

Brent started helping coach at the academy in the summer of 2000.  He helped with summer camps and private lessons and in the fall of 2004 he became the Muckdogs 10U head coach.  He moved up with this group until 2008 where he stayed as the 14U Muckdogs head coach, a posistion he has held since that time period.  In 2008 Brent lead our 13U AAA Muckdog Team to a number one finish in the USSSA end of year power rankings out of approximately 1100 teams throughout the United States.  Brent specializes in infield and hitting instruction, and also works with kids on catching and pitching.  He is in the facility on a daily basis working with his lesson clients and 14U players to prepare them for high levels of baseball.  Brent resides in Reno with his wife Jessica and his two daugthers, Madelyn and Ellise.

Kourtney Davis- Private Softball Pitching Instructor

Kourtney played high school softball at Galena High School (’96-’99), winning three high school state championships.  She earned a Division One Softball Scholarship to Oklahoma University (’00).  In 2001 she transferred to Cal Berkeley where she concluded her softball career.

Kourtney derives a lot of her pitching philosophy from Don Sarno, the former USA Olympic Pitching Coach.  She has taught softball pitchers for over a decade and continues to be one of the top fastpitch instructors in Northern Nevada.  She works extremely hard in developing top notch varsity pitchers and college pitchers.

Jim Wolfe - Private Baseball Instructor/ Private Softball Instructor

Jim Wolfe has been a coach at the youth levels for over a decade.  He has served as one of Washoe Little League’s All-Star coaches where as an assistant hitting and pitching coach he assisted in leading Washoe Little League to a 10 and 11 year old Little League State Championship in 2005 and 2006.  Jim also has a background in coaching travel baseball where again as an assistant coach, hitting and pitching instructor assisted his teams to a 2004 third place in the Super Series United States National Championships and with a win over South Texas in 2005 won a Super Series United States National Championship.

In 2008 Jim assisted Muckdog coach Brent Johnson as his general manager and assistant to lead our 13U AAA Muckdog Team to a number one finish in the USSSA end of year power rankings out of approximately 1100 teams throughout the United States.  Over the past four years, Jim has also assisted the Damonte Ranch High School Softball team as a hitting assistant when time allowed while his twin daughters played on the varsity team during their 4 years there.  During this time Damonte Ranch made the district playoffs all four years and culminated last year in a runner-up finish in the Northern 4A High School Zone playoff to eventual champion Spanish Springs High School .  His son Patrick, currently a sophomore at Damonte Ranch High School, is one of the better players in his age group in Northern Nevada.   A lot of the reason for  the success of his children in fastpitch softball and baseball is due to the knowledge and dedication that Jim brings to our academy.  Jim specializes in working with hitters, although he does work with his students on all areas of the game.  Jim resides in Reno with his wife Julie, his daughters Caitlin and Mackenzie, and his son Patrick.

Brody Massman- Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 18U Red Head Coach

Brody played high school baseball at Reed High School (’99-’02).  After graduating he went on to play California Community College Baseball at Feather River College (’03-’05) under current St. Mary’s Head Coach Jed Soto and current Delta College Coach Reed Peters.  Brody earned a Division One Scholarship to play baseball at San Jose State University (’06-’07) under coaching legend Sam Piraro.

He began his coaching career in 2007, serving as the Muckdogs 14U coach.  He has been with the staff ever since and currently serves as the Muckdogs 18U Red Head Coach and Muckdogs 9U Assistant Coach.  Brody also helps out with camps and clinics and also does work with players in private lessons.  He specializes in catching and hitting.

Phil Diaz - Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 10U Head Coach

Phil played high school baseball at Galena High School (’02-’05) where he played under Gary McNamara, current coach at Damonte Ranch High School.  After graduating he went on to play California Community College Baseball at Lassen College (’06-’07, ’09).  Phil spent three seasons as a Muckdog 19U player where he learned “the Muckdog way” under 19U manager Ken Camel.

In the summer of 2009 Phil began his coaching career as the Muckdogs 11U assistant coach.  He took over the following season as the 10U head coach (’10), where he remains in that position today.  Phil helps out with camps and clinics and also does private lessons with kids to build their skills.  He specializes in catching instruction, but also works with hitters, fielders and pitchers.

Justin Norvick- Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 9U Assistant Coach

Justin played high school baseball at Galena High School (’03-’06) where he played under Gary McNamara, current coach at Damonte Ranch High School.  After graduating he red-shirted, and then went on to play California Community College Baseball at Cabrillo College (’08-’09) under former major leaguer Andy Messersmith.  Justin spent three years playing on the Muckdogs 19U club, where he holds a majority of the offensive lifetime statistical records.

After completing his playing career Justin went to work at the academy giving lessons and helping out with clinics and camps.  He became the head coach of the Muckdogs 12U team in 2009 and held that position through July 2011.  He now serves as the Muckdogs 9U assistant coach.  He is in the process of obtaining an engineering degree at University of Nevada, Reno.

Chad Doerr- Muckdogs 15U Head Coach

Chad played high school baseball at Reno High School (’04-’07) under Pete Savage, brother of UCLA coach John Savage.  After graduating Chad went on to play California Community College Baseball at Feather River College (’08-’09) in Quincy, California.

Chad began his coaching career in 2009 serving as the head coach of the Muckdogs 11U team.  In the fall of 2010 Chad was promoted to the head coaching position of the Muckdogs 13U team.  He is in the process of obtaining a degree in Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno.  He is one of the bright young coaches in the organization and starting in August 2011 he will be the Muckdogs 15U

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Mike Grant- Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 12U Head Coach

Mike played high school baseball at McQueen High School (’99-’02) under recently retired coach Brian Nelson.  After graduating he went on to play California Community College Baseball at Yuba College (’04-’05).

Mike began his coaching career as the McQueen High School Junior Varsity Assistant Coach (’09).  He currently serves as the North Valleys High School Head Junior Varsity Head Coach (’10).  He took over the Muckdogs 11U Head Coaching position in the fall of 2010 where he serves at that position currently.  Mike helps out with clinics and camps during the summer and winter months and also serves as a private lesson instructor.  He will be promoted to 12U head coach in the fall of 2011.

Willie Lamprich- Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 9U Assistant Coach

Willie started his high school baseball career at Marysville High School (’88-’89) in Marysville, California.  He moved up to the Northern Nevada area where he finished his high school career at McQueen High School (’90-’91).  He went on to play California Community College Baseball at Butte College (’92).  He played for Yuba College’s summer collegiate team (summer of ’92) and then played semi-professional baseball for the Chico Indians (’93).

He started his coaching career, helping his son Hunter, with Reno American Little League (’02-’03) and later coached at Reno Continental Little League (’04-’06).  During this time period he served as an assistant coach, manager and also managed the Hooligans club (’06).  He has coached youth softball, helping his daughter Cheyenne, coaching with the Sierra Girls Youth League (’03-’06).  He has served as an assistant coach on various traveling softball organizations such the Stealth and the Storm (’07-’08).  He served as the Muckdogs 10U assistant coach in the spring and summer of 2011.  In August 2011 he will be the Muckdogs 9U assistant coach.  He also does private instruction with kids, specializing in infield and hitting.

Matt Renfree- Private Baseball Instructor, Muckdogs 11U Head Coach

Matt played high school baseball at Placer High School (’00-’03).  He earned a Division One Baseball scholarship to play at the University of Nevada (’04-’07).  After completing his collegiate career he was drafted in the 24th round of the 2007 draft by the Seattle Mariners Organization and spend three years playing professional baseball for them.

In 2010 Matt started his coaching career, serving as an assistant for the Muckdogs 11U team.  He works at our camps and clinics and also does private instruction with players.   Matt specializes in pitching.  He is slated to become the head coach of the 11U team in the fall of 2011.

 

Jim Henderson- Muckdogs 13U Head Coach

Jim played varsity baseball at Fernley High School (’91-’92) under Coach Jaime Huckaby.  Jim was a three sport athlete at Fernley High and earned All-State honors in football.

Jim began his coaching career in 2001 when he began coaching his son Gavin at the youth level, and he has been coaching baseball every year since then.

Since 2001 Jim has served as a coach for the High Desert Little League, where he has served as both a regular season coach and all-star coach.  He served as the Muckdogs 11U assistant (’08) for one year.  Jim began his high school coaching career at Fernley High School (’09) as an assistant on the JV staff.  He was promoted to an assistant on the Fernley High School Varsity staff in 2010, a position he still holds today.

Jim currently holds the position of the Muckdogs 12U assistant coach (’11)  and is slated to be the Muckdogs 13U head coach in the fall of 2011. Gavin, Jim’s son, has been involved with the Muckdogs organization since he was ten and is currenly playing on the 13U team. Jim resides in Fernely with his wife Amy, his daughters Bailey, Maddison, and Grace and his sons Gavin and Ryan.

Don Clark- Muckdogs 13U Assistant Coach

Don played high school baseball locally at Hug High School (’87-’90).  After graduating from high school he went on to play at Long Beach City College (’91) under current University of Washington head coach Lindsay Meggs.  He then transferred to Cerritos College (’92) where his pitching coach was current Tennessee Coach Dave Serrano.  He then earned a Division One baseball scholarship to play at University of Nevada (’93-’94) where his pitching coach was current UCLA head coach John Savage.  Don was part of the 1994 NCAA regional team while playing at Nevada.

Don has extensive coaching experience, helping out at the youth levels as well as high school athletes.   He was on the Hug High School coaching staff to start his coaching career (’96).  He has also served as a regular season little league coach as well as an All-Star coach in Fernley Little League (’09-’10).  He then went on to be the North Valleys 15 year old All-Star coach (’11).

He will serve as the Muckdogs 13U assistant coach in starting in August of 2011.  His extensive background both as a player and a coach should bring a great deal of knowledge to the athletes he teaches.  Don currently resides in Fernley with his wife Keri and his three daughters Mackenzie, Morgan and Regan.

Matt Rutledge- Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 11U Assistant Coach

Matt played high school baseball at Carson High School (’06-’09).  He then went on to play baseball Division One basebll at University of Nevada (’10-’11).

While on the field Matt was a very solid player, but what made him great was his ability to understand the game at a very high level.

This is why we anticipate him being an outstanding coach in our organization.  He has helped out at our camps and clinics over the past year and in August of 2011 he took the position of the Muckdogs 11U coach.

John Hudson- Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 16U Head Coach

John played high school baseball in Sacramento at McClatchy High School (’96-’97) and Kennedy High School (’98-’99).  He was part of the Manhart American Legion program through the age of nineteen as a player.

John was selected to represent the United States on a team that traveled to Australia in 2000, where he was teammates with current big leaguer Dustin Pedroia.

John started his coaching career a year after ending his playing career due to injury.  He was an assistant coach for the Manhart Legion program (’02-’05).  He also served as the head coach for the McClatchy High freshman team (’05).

After a move to the Northern Nevada area John was hired to serve as the Muckdogs 13U assistant coach (’09).  Later that fall he accepted the job as the Muckdogs 16U head coach, which is a position he currently holds today.

Keith Comphel - Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 12u Assistant Coach

Keith Comphel has been a coach at the youth levels for almost a decade.  He served as a head coach for Reno American Little League for six years.  In his time with Reno American Little League he coached All-Stars for four straight years.  He led Reno American Little League to a 9-10 year old Little League District Championship in 2004 and State runner-up.  He also served as a head coach for Reno West Babe Ruth for two years and assisted with the 2007 14u Reno West Babe Ruth State Championship team and the 2008 15u State Championship team.  He has a background in coaching travel baseball while coaching his son Logan Comphel as 9u thru 14u player.  His son Logan, currently a senior at McQueen High School, is one of the top high school players in Northern Nevada.   A lot of the reason for Logan’s success is due to the knowledge and years of dedication that Keith brings to our academy.  Keith specializes in working with infielders, although he does work with his students on all areas of the game.  Keith resides in Reno with his wife Anna, and sons Logan and Brandon.  His daughter Kayla is currently attending the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Robbie Wickware - Private Baseball Instructor/ Muckdogs 16u Head Coach

Robbie played high school baseball at Churchill County High School (’96-’99).  He went on to play at at Cerro Coso Community College (’00-’02) where he was named team captain his sophomore year.  He then transfered to a four year NAIA school, Saint Mary’s University in Leavenworth, Kansas where he played for tow years (’03-’04).

In 2005 he started his coaching career, serving as an assistant varsity coach at Churchill County High School (’05-’07).  He was then promoted to the head varsity coach at Churchill County High School (’08-’10).  Robbie also coached summer baseball for four seasons, serving as the Fallon Blackjacks 18U head coach (’07-’10), where he led them to a Joe Dimaggio World Series appearance.  Robbie currently helps out with the winter, spring and summer baseball camps at our academy.  Robbie currently resides in Fallon, Nevada with his wife   Wickware.