Not many people are fortunate enough to wake up in the morning looking forward to their day at work. But for baseball coach Nate Fernley, it is more like a blessing.
A native of Southern California, Fernley, 33, is in his fourth year teaching and coaching and has turned the baseball program around since his arrival.
In his first season as coach, the Warriors had a 32-15 record and earned their first South Coast Conference (SCC) crown in 19 years. He was also awarded co-coach of the year for the SCC.
Since then, he has taken the Warriors to state playoffs three out of the four years he has been here, with this season’s conference title being the second time he led his team to an SCC championship.
“I’m really passionate about coaching here and I enjoy teaching as well,” Fernley said. “We get very good, quality individuals who come through here. It’s been a great experience.”
After an upsetting finale to last year’s season, things have turned around for Fernley and his Warriors. As a result of his team winning the SCC title, he was awarded with SCC Coach of the Year, making him the only EC coach this year to earn the honor.
“It really means that you have very good players. They do everything,” Fernley said. “They play the game, hit and throw the ball and make the pitches. So when they do what they’re supposed to do, it makes you look good.”
Fernley said that his team was successful this season because the players put in a lot of work on the field and he credits them for his award.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to mesh together as a team,” Fernley said “It’s a group of guys who really get along together and I think that translates into pretty good chemistry on the field.”
Perhaps one of the reasons why Fernley has been so successful as a coach is because he just doesn’t coach his players about baseball, but is a mentor to them as well.
“Coach Fernley is one of my favorite coaches because he relates really well to the players and is always there for the guys,” designated hitter Drew Rodela said. “He’s one of the greatest people on and off the field and is a good influence on all of us, let alone being a good coach and knowing a lot about the game. I’m really happy for him and I think he deserves the award.”
Fernley’s coaching staff consists of assistant coaches Bob Fernley, his father, Shane Schumaker, Tony Asaro and Bill Hood, whom Fernley said were a vital part of the team’s triumph.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to coach at many places, but working with Fernley has been different because he’s definitely one of the top bosses that I’ve had,” Schumaker said. “That’s due to the fact that he is good at the game of baseball but is still a great mentor to the kids.”
Following his two years of baseball at Long Beach City College, Fernley transferred to Brigham Young University where he majored in Spanish and business. He eventually went on to earn a master’s degree in sports medicine from the U.S. Sports Academy.
His talent on the mound (he was a pitcher) gave him the opportunity to play professional baseball in the minor league system of the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs.
“It was a good experience and it was fun, you play baseball everyday for six months. But I married and had kids, so it’s not the best lifestyle for a family. It had it pros and cons for sure,” Fernley said.
On top of all the accomplishment’s Fernley has attained thus far this year, he was offered a full-time job, and he couldn’t be more thrilled.
Fernley said he isn’t planning on going anywhere with his new full-time position.
“I plan on staying here the rest of my life, so hopefully I’m here for 50 more years,” Fernley said.