The Falcon's Baseball Coaching Staff has significant depth and experience, with years of professional baseball and training. Falcon Coaches are passionate about developing young players to be ready to compete at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. Coaches are individually selected, bringing mentoring, sportsmanship, and a love of the game to the fields.
Head Coach - GAETANO GIANNI
Guy Gianni was drated in the 4th round of the 1988 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. Gianni was a catcher for the Reds & Tigers organizations. After playing several years of professional baseball, Gianni stepped into the scouting & coaching arenas. Back in Chicago, Gianni scouted for the Seattle Mariners. Gianni brings over 25 years of coaching experience at the high school & junior collegiate levels. He has coached many players who have advanced to the professional levels, with 11 players in the last 15 play at the professional level. He won Coach of the Year Honors and is known for guest speaking at baseball coaching clinics about motivating players and shaping them into great men. Gianni is still known to be called upon for throwing BP with professional players including Matt Kemp, Mark Trumbo, Peter Bourjous, Russell Martin, and Jr. Spivey, just to name a few. In the upcoming 2017 season, Gianni will surpass the 400 win mark in his coaching career as a Head Coach, averaging just under 20 wins per season. He has been at the helm of the Falcons Program since 2011.
Pitching Coach - DOUG KETCHEN
Coach Ketchen was born in Winnipeg, Canada. He played on the Canadian Olympic baseball team,Team Alberta, pitching in the Canadian Nationals. Ketchen was selected to the 2nd team All Canadian National Team. It was his love of baseball that brought him to the USA. He was a RHP for Allan Hancock JC from 1987-1989, selected to the 1st team All Northern California his 1st year and 1st Team All State & JC All American in his 2nd year. In 1990, he continued his college baseball career at Cal State University Fullerton. He also played internationally for Team Canada in 1989, playing against team USA, Korea & Japan. Ketchen was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1990, named Pitcher of the Year for the Auburn Astros the same year. In 1991, Ketchen was tied for 3rd in all of the Houston Astros minor league organization for wins, with 10. After playing professional baseball for 6 years, Coach Ketchen continued in his baseball career in coaching. Coach Ketchen is entering his 6th year as the Varsity Pitching Coach for Cactus Shadows High School. He is also involved in coaching at the Jr. Falcon level and consulting at the little league baseball level. He has seen many players go onto play Junior College, 4 year universities, and professional baseball. Coach Ketchen's passion is to give back to the game and to help young players develop their full potential.
Roving Hitting Coach - ROB DEER
Coach Deer played over 10 years of professional baseball, drafted in the 4th round of the 1978 draft by the San Francisco Giants. Deer played for multiple teams including the Giants, the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers. Following his playing days, Deer has served as a Roving Hitting Instructor for the San Diego Padres and Assistant Hitting Coach for the Chicago Cubs. Deer also played one year in Japan, for the Hansin Tigers. In 2015, Deer was voted as one of the 50 most influential players in Milwaukee Brewer history!
Freshman Assistant Coach - PAT KENNY
Coach Kenny was born in Connecticut, but moved early on to Indiana, and again on to Ohio. While growing up in the Midwest, Kenny played both baseball and football through high school. Coach Kenny and his family, wife Andee and two children, are local to Cave Creek. Kenny is a retired board member for the local Little League where he also coached. Kenny also served as a former Middle School Softball Coach, a Jr Falcons Softball and Baseball Coach for four years. Coach Kenny enjoys working with the kids, growing their baseball skills and encouraging them to be “Falcon Awesome!".
