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Former Foothill softball coach Joe Gonzalez, who helped build an Orange County powerhouse, is being remembered as a caring mentor and an elite strategist following his death from a battle with cancer.
Gonzalez, 83, died on Nov. 13, his son Mike confirmed.
In 14 seasons at the helm of Foothill softball, the Knights claimed two CIF-SS titles in four championship appearances, one national title and 13 straight league crowns.
The run from 1990 to 2003 also produced standouts such as Olympian Caitlin Lowe and Jaime Clark. Gonzalez finished with a record of 355-79 and three O.C. coach of the year awards.
"He loved (coaching)," said Mike, who served as one of his father's assistant coaches. "He liked to compete at the highest level."
Gonzalez brought a background of coaching football and running a successful employment services business to the softball diamond at Foothill.
The walk-on coach was known for emphazing small ball tactics, running the bases and playing strong defense.
Foothill captured the CIF-SS Division 4A title in 1992 and the Division 1 championship in 2000. The 2000 squad beat Mater Dei 1-0 in eight innings in the final and was named national champion.
"He capitalized on the bunt slapping and the running of the lefty speedsters such as Caitlin Lowe," recalled former Canyon softball coach Lance Eddy, who competed against Foothill in league. "They became a pistol machine. ... They were just phenomenal harnessing the machine and putting on the pressure."
Eddy added that scouting and teaching strategy to his players were other strengths for Gonzalez.
"(He was) very calm and collected and his teams followed his leadership and his kind of attack," Eddy said of Gonzalez, who was selected to the inaugural Orange County Hall of Fame.
Foothill coach Jeff Wright said Gonzalez remained a motivating presence with the Knights program. He visited the players to delivered pep talks and attended the team's CIF title game in 2023.
"His humility and care for his players was a testament to the kind of man he was," said Wright, who counted Gonzalez as a mentor. "He is the foundation of what Foothill softball is about."
Gonzalez's tenure at Foothill including coaching his daughter Leeann, who played at UCLA.
He also coached future daughter-in-law Michelle Churnock, who is married to Mike Gonzalez and played at Arizona.
Lowe is now the softball coach at Arizona. Former player Kelley Green is the coach at Coastal Carolina.
"Joe impacted a lot of people," Villa Park softball coach Terry Williams said.
Gonzalez is survived by five children, including Joelle, James and Randy, and 14 grandchildren.
A mass will be held for Gonzalez at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ladera Ranch on Nov. 25 at Holy Trinity at 11 a.m. with a graveside service to follow at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange.