LLHS Tigers, Valencia Jags hire new baseball coaches

After recent resignations, the dean of high school baseball head coaches in Valencia Country, based on longevity, is Justin Miller, of Belen. Miller just completed his first season with the Eagles.

Stepping up to the plate after recently being hired to replace veteran coaches are Cliff De Graaf, of Los Lunas, and Valencia’s Rustin Porter.

Even though this is the first head-coaching position at the high school level for each, they do bring experience to the dugout.

De Graaf, 44, spent nearly 10 years as an LLHS assistant coach, most recently under Paul Cieremans, the man he replaced.

“He taught me a lot about being the head coach here,” De Graaf said of Cieremans, who gave up the job when he was named an assistant principal at LLHS. “Realistically, not a whole lot is going to change. With what Paul has left behind, we are going to try and pick up and keep running with it.”

De Graaf’s resume also includes playing collegiate baseball at Eastern New Mexico University and starting the Valencia County Outlaws youth baseball program.

“I’ve known a lot of these kids since they were 5, 6, 7 years old,” he said. “I want to make sure they get every opportunity that they can,” when it comes to baseball and academics.

De Graaf, who is in the construction business, will have to fill holes in the lineup as well as on his coaching staff. He said none of the assistants from last season will return because of a change in their job requirements in the private sector.

The Tigers reached the 5A semifinals last season, but De Graaf says the team is still, “hungry. They want to win and I want it for them.”

Even though Rustin Porter has not coached baseball previously at Valencia, he’s a familiar face on campus.

Porter, 43, is an assistant coach in volleyball and boys basketball, and provides his voice at various sporting events as the public address announcer.

When asked why he applied for the baseball position, Porter said, “I just love this school. I love these kids.”

Plus, Porter says baseball is his passion.

“I go home and watch baseball every night,” he said. “I love to study the game.”

His background on the diamond includes coaching youth and club teams.

Porter will get his fill of baseball now after being hired to replace Carlos Ramirez.

“When we get on the field, it’s just a lot of hard work, discipline and a lot of accountability,” in addition to fun, Porter said.

The Jaguars were 10-15, 2-6 in District 5-4A last season, but Porter is optimistic about the near future after reaching out to the student body.

“The interest that I’m getting now, it’s just been awesome. I’m super excited,” he said. “I want to bring a winning mentality. I think Valencia has a lot of talent up here.”

Porter works in the finance office for Valencia County and is in the process of getting his teaching license.