Photo by: Cole Stipovich
Q&A: Diamond Dons Head Coach Nino Giarratano
2/25/2013 11:46:00 AM | Baseball
SAN FRANCISCO – When University of San Francisco baseball Head Coach Nino Giarratano collected his first win at the helm of the 1998 Dons, a 19-14 win at Cal State Northridge, accumulating 400 wins as coach of the Dons wasn't something the young coach was thinking of. 14 years later, after sweeping a doubleheader at UC Santa Barbara Saturday, Giarratano reached the 400 win-mark in his 15th season on The Hilltop. It took a congratulatory message from USF Athletic Director Scott Sidwell to bring the milestone to Giarratano's attention.
A three-time National Junior College Coach of the Year at Trinidad State JC, Coach G's accolades with the Dons are impressive, including a pair of West Coast Conference titles, in 2006 and 2011. Giarratano was also named WCC Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2011 and has twice served as an assistant coach with the United States National Collegiate team, winning a gold medal in 2008 and silver in 2010.
Giarratano sat down to share his thoughts on reaching 400 wins at USF.
Q: When did you realize you had won your 400th game at USF?
A: I got a text from Scott Sidwell that said 'Congratulations on 400.' I took a second to figure it out and it was nice to hear that from him. It's another milestone. Reflecting back on that, I should have been at 400 about five years ago so it was bittersweet.”
Q: What were some of the most memorable wins for you?
A: I remember my first win, it was at Cal State Northridge. Tagg Bozied hit a home run to win that game for us. Breaking Dante Benedetti's record was a big win. You always remember the milestones; 100,200,300. You just want to keep going. When I look back at the other coaches I coach against at the Division I level, I'm pretty fortunate. Hopefully I can get to 800 or 1,000 one day.”
Q: How special is it to get 400 wins at one school?
A: “It's been fun to build this program here at USF. I thank all the kids that have come through this program that have helped get those wins as well as all the coaches that have been here. I get to hold the record, but there are so many people who have been successful to help us get to that point.”
A three-time National Junior College Coach of the Year at Trinidad State JC, Coach G's accolades with the Dons are impressive, including a pair of West Coast Conference titles, in 2006 and 2011. Giarratano was also named WCC Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2011 and has twice served as an assistant coach with the United States National Collegiate team, winning a gold medal in 2008 and silver in 2010.
Giarratano sat down to share his thoughts on reaching 400 wins at USF.
Q: When did you realize you had won your 400th game at USF?
A: I got a text from Scott Sidwell that said 'Congratulations on 400.' I took a second to figure it out and it was nice to hear that from him. It's another milestone. Reflecting back on that, I should have been at 400 about five years ago so it was bittersweet.”
Q: What were some of the most memorable wins for you?
A: I remember my first win, it was at Cal State Northridge. Tagg Bozied hit a home run to win that game for us. Breaking Dante Benedetti's record was a big win. You always remember the milestones; 100,200,300. You just want to keep going. When I look back at the other coaches I coach against at the Division I level, I'm pretty fortunate. Hopefully I can get to 800 or 1,000 one day.”
Q: How special is it to get 400 wins at one school?
A: “It's been fun to build this program here at USF. I thank all the kids that have come through this program that have helped get those wins as well as all the coaches that have been here. I get to hold the record, but there are so many people who have been successful to help us get to that point.”
Monday, April 27
Monday, April 27
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11
